Listen

Luke 1:5-17

Zacharias went that morning to the temple

To serve his Lord, which was simple.

He was to light the fire beneath the incense

So the sweet smell would rise to thee in silence

To the pleasure of God, Zacharias was thrilled that day

To the core of his being but when he thought of their tragedy

And prayed once again from his heart for a baby

In the silence, suddenly, and angel Gabriel was there

Saying he was God's voice with news to end their despair.

They would be parents of a wonderful, special son

Zacharias questions what the angel said where upon

The angel quieted the Lord’s servant’s voice

Until the birth of the child.  Still in his heart, he rejoiced.

Upon arriving home, after his service to God ending

He motioned to Elizabeth what God was sending.

As promised, they gratefully received  a son,

They named him John, who became the special one.

What stands out is - Zacharias heard God speak

Is this something you might happen to seek?

Gabriel was God’s voice and He spoke to Zacharias

While he was praying in the silence of God’s house.

If you pray from the depth of your heart and soul

God will speak to you and take control,

Listen… be still, seek silence, listen and hear

Hear what God has to say and do not fear.

Listen with heart and soul and you will find

He is there and He will bring peace of mind.

Just listen.

Prayer: Loving and forgiving Father, help us as we reach out to you for the power that will transform us.  Use our hands to serve you, as well as others; our voices to speak the good news; and our ears open to hear you.  In the name of Jesus.   Amen

Lelia Evans

Connecting the Old with the New

Isaiah 4:2-6

The Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible, isn’t just something for the Jewish people to use or to make our Bible thicker.  In today’s scripture there are some significant passages for twenty-first Century Christians.  From a Christian perspective, the reference to the branch of the Lord may be taken as an early indication to the advent of Christ and the glory and beauty of His kingdom.  Perhaps in a more overall sense, branch can mean that wherever the true worship of God is followed, new branches will grow and produce much beautiful and wonderful fruit under God’s divine will. 

Verses five and six also may be applied to our twenty-first Christianity.  This scripture was written during the Babylonian exile to assure the Hebrews that God would protect those that remained faithful and true to Him.  A remnant would be left to continue the Kingdom of Israel.  As present-day Christians, we may be assured that this promise in Isaiah is still true through the open and loving arms of Jesus and the New Covenant He instituted.

Prayer:  Dear God, when as Christians we feel that we are too small of a voice to be heard in the tumult of the world around us, help us remember that we live in a pavilion,  covered by a canopy, given by You through Jesus to protect his flock!  Amen

Warren Davenport

Confidence

Psalm 27

Reading the Psalms, I always find myself wishing that I could relate my feelings in beautiful words as David does.

In this particular Psalm, David shows us that he too had concerns and fears as we do today.  I think he even questioned his faith somewhat because he prayed, but then he continued to worry, even though he was confident that God would answer his prayers.  I think this is something we all do. 

We should have confidence in God’s promise.  We should pray for God to hear our prayers, and be confident that He will.  There is no need for us to live in fear.  God promised us He would not abandon us.  He will be with us today, tomorrow and always.

God does answer prayers … we see evidence of it all around us every day.  We see His goodness, His compassion and His unconditional love.  We know we will see God someday, but as David said, until then “we must be brave and courageous and wait patiently for the Lord”.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, we thank you for your goodness, your compassion and your unconditional love.  We thank you the most for your son, Jesus, in whose name we pray.  Amen

Gaylon & Joyce Russell 

Words of Hope

Isaiah 40: 1-11

                      

"Encourage my people says our God.  Comfort them". 

This scripture of hope and encouragement speaks to us as we approach Christmas.  We have come to the end of a trying year of drought but through God's word we realize that we and our problems last " no longer than grass and wild flowers".  We are told, "He will take care of his flock like a shepherd".

Prayer: God, let us feel your arms gathering us and leading us though our trials and our joys every day of our lives. We pray that you will speak through us to encourage others when they are suffering.  Open our hearts to their needs and shine your light through us in this joyous season of celebration of Christ.  Amen.

Donna Hunt

Questioning

Mark 11: 27-33

There's a story in Lawrence's family about him at age 4.  He and a little friend were lying down on a quilt resting after a morning of VBS and playing while Lawrence's Mom was hanging out clothes.  Wilma, Lawrence's Mom, said the little friend asked Lawrence, "Who made the clouds?"  To which Lawrence replied, "God did."  His friend then asked, "Who made the birds?"  Again, Lawrence replied, "God did."  "So," the little friend asked, "who made the sky?"  To which Lawrence replied, "God did."  The little friend looked at Lawrence and asked, "Who made God?"  Lawrence replied, "God just be!" 

I'm like the little friend, full of questions about God's way of doing things, about the answers which seem to come so easily to some people.  I continue to search, question, and long for such a faith filled feeling as Lawrence had at age 4.   

The priest and teachers of the law in our scriptures today question the authority of Jesus even though they had such incredible signs.  Jesus, God's son, God in flesh, did things and taught things no one had ever seen or heard before.  The prophets pointed to Jesus, and Jesus fulfilled those prophecies.  I would like to think that if I had seen, experienced, walked with, and felt the healing hand of God through Jesus, I would have become one of his followers.  Yet even today, with all the stories and knowledge about Jesus, I still question.

The priests and teachers questioned Jesus' authority, probably because they wanted things to stay the way they were.  They had good positions, good income, good security.  They questioned in hope of finding a way to deny Jesus, to deny His ministry and his claim as the Messiah.

God has walked with me.  He has healed my life and those of my loved ones.  God has comforted me in losses.  I've seen Him in and through the lives of others, and in His awesome creation.  Yet I question.  I feel God has a soft spot for us 'questioning' folks and often puts things in our lives just to let us see Him.  I'm thankful for His patience with me.  "God just be" and I know He does have all authority over us. However, I do have just a few more questions!!!!

PRAYER: God be patient with those of us who question.  As we celebrate this season of waiting, we realize you sent Your Son as a little one to show us the way, the truth and give us the life You have for us.  Help us open ourselves more each day to You and Your ways even when we don't understand!  You are an awesome God.

Lawrence & Sharon Herndon

No Excuses!

Jeremiah 1:4-10

The Bible is filled with stories of people who give excuses in an attempt to avoid God’s call on their lives.   Here, Jeremiah takes his turn.  When called by God, Jeremiah replied that he was too young.   I can understand – Jeremiah was being called to deliver an unpopular message to people who were not interested in listening.   It must have seemed to be a daunting, overwhelming task.  And, Jeremiah surely felt ill-equipped to perform the task, to accept the call.

God’s message to Jeremiah was this:

I have a plan for you.

Do not be afraid.

I will give you what you need.

I will be with you.

I know you!

In verse 7, I think God says ‘No Excuses’.

Once Jeremiah accepted His call, God used him greatly.  But, it was not easy - through very difficult times and circumstances, Jeremiah carried on and lived out God’s call on his life.

God still calls people to respond to tasks that appear to be daunting and overwhelming.  This Advent season, maybe God is calling you to be or to do something.  

Maybe you feel ill-equipped to perform the task, to accept the call.  

Listen closely – God’s message to you may be:

I have a plan for you.

Do not be afraid.

I will give you what you need.

I will be with you.

I know you!

No excuses!

Like Jeremiah, when you accept God’s call, no matter how difficult the circumstances, He can and will use you greatly!

Prayer:   God, open our hearts and our ears to hear your call.  Help us overcome our fear, and trust that you have a plan for us, will give us all that we need, and will be with us forever and always.  Help us to accept your call with no excuses.  Amen.

Delyn Cronk

Faith, Love, Hope

1 Thessalonians 1: 2-10

Paul's letter expressed praise for his growing flock, their work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  He commended the Thessalonians for imitating the Lord and the apostles.

It's easy to get caught up in the parties, shopping, decorating and gifts that we associate with the holidays; but as Christians, we know that's not what Christmas signifies.  Let's be examples for others to imitate by showing our faith, love and hope during this season.

Prayer:  I pray that I keep Christ at the center of my Christmas celebrations and act as an example worthy of imitation.  Amen.

Karon Craig