Monday, December 24
Theme for the week:
Jesus intentionally seeks to hear from God

Romans 15:30-32

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to The Apostle Paul, Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed.

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Pondering Point

When is the last time that you prayed about the impact of unbelievers on ministry? And why would this come up on Christmas Eve? Revelation 12:1-5 reveals symbolically that Jesus faced opposition right from birth – not just from King Herod, but from the Evil One himself. Revelation 12:17 further details that this Dragon is now out to get anyone who holds to the testimony of Jesus. The Apostle Paul was facing struggles because of such opposition, and the need for prayers like this still exists. So while we wish you a Merry Christmas (and hope that you take time to worship God today), not everyone wants to see you enjoy a holiday that elevates and celebrates Jesus.

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Prayer

Lord God, I celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this week and I stand on the testimony that Jesus is Lord. Thank you for protecting me from all enemies visible and invisible till the day I am brought into your eternal home.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Tuesday, December 25
God’s Mission

Matthew 2:1-23

The Magi Visit the Messiah

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

The Escape to Egypt

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

18 “A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.”

The Return to Nazareth

19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

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Pondering Point

Unlike the shepherds, the wise men don’t experience Jesus on Christmas, but much later. As the year turns in a week, look back and see where in your life you experienced the Lord Jesus. When did you carry you? How did he change you? When did you feel closest to him? Yes he’s with us in all places at all times, but where did you find him? Where did he find you? Where do you hope to find him in the new year?

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Prayer

Father God, the wise men came a long way to find you. I want to display such perseverance to seek you out also. Foster that desire to come and worship you, to come and bring you gifts fit for a king. Let your Holy Spirit serve as a star of sorts, to help me follow wherever you’re leading me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen -- and thank you for Christmas Father!

Wednesday, December 26
Your Identity in Christ

• I am Jesus’ worshiper and will come to worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

James 4:13-17

Boasting About Tomorrow

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

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Pondering Point

Read James 4:13-17 and then re-read the identity statement above. Worship, like a lot of things in life that don’t cry loudly for attention, can easily be set aside with the thought that it will always be there tomorrow, next week, or once things lighten up a bit. But truth be told, you don’t know that tomorrow will be there. Live out of your identity as a child of God now rather than later – and live out of that identity first!

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Prayer

Father God, build in me a healthy attitude that is always aware of your overarching will in my life. Help me to not get ahead of myself with plans, but to always defer to your greater knowledge and wisdom whenever things go other than I desire to see them go. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Thursday, December 27
Re-Center Around God

Luke 2:28-32

Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,  you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.
~ Simeon

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Pondering Point

Read Luke 2: 28-35. This is from Simeon’s prayer to God in the Temple while holding baby Jesus. God had revealed to Simeon (at some point earlier) that he would not die before seeing the promised Messiah with his own eyes. Once the Spirit prompted Simeon to head to the temple for that long-awaited day, off he went to see – and hold – this Messiah. And oh was he overjoyed at the Glory of God beaming in his hands.

Review the week

Are you prepared, like Simeon, to meet your Maker? Have you been looking for God to fulfill promises to you? What role do the promises of God make in your everyday life?

Repent (if necessary)

Don't wait till your deathbed to clear the slate with God or others. If you have any unconfessed sin deal with it now. If you have any soured relationships (bitterness or grudges), address them. No one knows the number of their days. Act now.

Return (as necessary)

Review a few promises between you and God. Think about his promises of needs being met, sins being forgiven, a place being prepared, protection being granted. What promises are you most looking forward to seeing fulfilled?

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Prayer

[Provide your own prayer to end today's devotion.]

Friday, December 28
Discipleship Point and Prayer

The power of humility is seen in the way it brings change to every heart and every life in which it is found. Humble people are always changing. Their humility creates fertile ground in which growth thrives.

p.159, The Prideful Soul’s Guide to Humility, Fontenot/Jones

Discipleship Point
Personal Discipleship Time

One of our goals with discipleship is that each person (like you) defines him or herself as a disciple of Jesus, believing that the mandate of discipleship is coming directly from Jesus Himself. That means you are responding to His call on your life, following Him, letting Him change you, and working with Him in His mission to help make disciples of other people along the way.

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God is continually trying to speak to us, using various moments in our lives to get our attention (called ‘kairos’ moments). There are two basic questions we want to get familiar with asking daily that relate to
the learning circle
1. What is God saying to me?
2. What am I going to do about it?
~ Mike Breen, Lifeshapes, 3DM Ministries

We don’t expect everyone to be a mature disciple immediately, but we do expect everyone to be on the path to maturity. We are going to be learning how to listen for, hear, and respond to Jesus’ voice.
As we prepare to turn a new year, this is a good practice. Try it out.

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Prayer

Father God, help me to see and hear what you are saying to me as I experience “kairos” moments throughout my day. Then teach me how to lean into your Spirit and into fellow disciples to learn how to respond in godly ways. You have my attention now… (wait silently on the Lord giving him your heart and mind, then finish)… in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Saturday, December 29

Matthew 2:1-23

The Magi Visit the Messiah

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

The Escape to Egypt

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

18 “A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.”

The Return to Nazareth

19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Like the story of Joseph from two weeks ago, we do not have any prayer recorded concerning the wise men, but we might be able to infer a few things about their hearts. Not just anybody carves out months – let alone years – to go see something in a different part of the world. If a person’s heart is not into that trip, it's going to be problematic. Somehow they had heard about this King of the Jews and felt compelled to honor him. Then, in a manner also similar to Joseph’s story, the Wise Men receive insight from God through dreams ensuring both their safety and that of baby Jesus.

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Prayer

Eternal Father, You gave Your Son the name of Jesus to be a sign of our salvation. Just as you drew the Wise Men to him, draw every heart toward the love emanating from this Savior Jesus Christ in whose name we pray. Amen.

Sunday, December 30
Call to Worship God, to Gather Together

God Bless You

Numbers 6:24-26

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. 

Lord, take us into the new year under the ancient blessing of your people. May we be blessed to be blessings in your name. Pray blessings upon your family and friends, your neighbors and co-workers, your church family and those who need a church family.

Prayer for the Month

Father God, help us to build a gentle approach toward others, both those inside your family and out. Nudge to us make in-flight repairs whenever we misstep or misspeak, being willing to seek forgiveness as well as offer it. By your Holy Spirit, help us to find hidden concerns that lie behind people’s questions, issues or problems – and then respond appropriately. Remind us that we’re part of a team, your team, and to see (and do) our work as teamwork. Finally, teach us the value and power of words, particularly supportive words, and to use them powerfully on people that you value – all people. To your glory, let us be your GIFTS to the people around us. Amen.

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Prayer for the Pastor

This second prayer comes from Pastor’s personal daily prayer and he would relish you joining him in praying this prayer on his behalf.

Lord God Almighty, our Father and our God, I pray that you enable Pastor Paul’s mind (heart, soul, and will) to gain understanding – and that he humbles himself before You. God,

You are seeking after him and there are things happening around him that are calling for a deeper spiritual understanding and practice on his part. Help him to rise to the occasion.

Bless him as he comes to experience more of this needed spirituality in this climate of today. Help him choose to not settle for less, but hunger for you above all things. He comes at your request knowing that he cannot find you without the Holy Spirit. He needs you today.

Bless him to hear and follow. Show him the way and strengthen him as he pursues it. Guide him and enlighten him -- particularly in those spiritually dark places; encourage him when he gets weary, challenge him in the comfortable and ordinary places - and protect him, Father God, from his enemy, the evil one.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sponsored by Hope Lutheran Church 

Copyright (c) 2017-2019 Paul vonWerder

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