Saturday, December 10

Ruth 1:15-18

Martha McDearmon

Ruth 1: 15-18

Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law is going back home to live with her own people and gods, go with her.” But Ruth said, “Don’t force me to leave you; don’t make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I’ll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I’ll die, and that’s where I’ll be buried, so help me God – not even death itself is going to come between us!”  The Message – Eugene Peterson

Ruth, the young widow in the land of Moab, expresses these familiar words of love and loyalty to another widow, Naomi, her mother-in-law.  Naomi wants to return to her hometown in Judah, the town of Bethlehem. Naomi wants Ruth to return to her own hometown; to find a new life and a new husband.

However, Ruth does not want to leave Naomi, whom she loves and trusts.  So, Ruth and Naomi travel to Bethlehem where God’s plan for Ruth is revealed. Ruth meets and marries Boaz, and has a son, Obed. Obed is the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. The family tree of Jesus Christ is shared in the Gospel of Matthew and Ruth is one of the few mothers who are named.

Ruth displays love and loyalty and trust to Naomi.  Her place in the family tree of Jesus displays God’s providence towards her.

An Ancient Prayer

Help us, O Lord, always to wait for You, to wish for You, and to watch for You, that at Your coming again You may find us ready; for Your sake we ask it. Amen.

Friday, December 9

Isaiah 52:7

Hank Sullivan

Isaiah 52:7,  The Message

 How beautiful on the mountains
   are the feet of the messenger bringing good news,
Breaking the news that all's well,
   proclaiming good times, announcing salvation,
   telling Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Voices! Listen! Your scouts are shouting, thunderclap shouts,
   shouting in joyful unison.
They see with their own eyes
   God coming back to Zion.
Break into song! Boom it out, ruins of Jerusalem:
   "God has comforted His people!
   He's redeemed Jerusalem!"
God has rolled up His sleeves.
   All the nations can see His holy, muscled arm.
Everyone, from one end of the earth to the other,
   sees Him at work, doing His salvation work.

Can’t you hear the joy in the messenger’s voice as the Good News is proclaimed to the entire world.  Jesus, God incarnate, is proof positive that God intends all people on this earth to shout for joy, break into song, and boom out the message that redemption is offered to all; just for the asking.  God is seen in the work of all of us.  Praise be to God.

Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the sacrifice of God’s son for our sins.  Pray that you will be a symbol of the life God wants us all to live.

Thursday, December 8

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13

Sarah Eller

Human beings are not loving by nature.  We think of ourselves - what we need - what we want.  The needs and wants of others are not our concern.  We look out for #1, regardless.  We don’t use good manners or suitable morals.  We don’t treat our fellow man with respect.  BUT – WAIT.

That is not what we read in the Bible.  That is not the way Jesus taught us to behave.  What was it that He said – treat others the way you want to be treated and love your neighbor as yourself.

This is from the MESSAGE BIBLE: 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, 13

“Love never gives up.  Love cares more for others than for self.  Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.  Love doesn’t strut.  Doesn’t have a swollen head, doesn’t force itself on others.  Isn’t always “me first”.  Doesn’t fly off the handle.  Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others.  Doesn’t revel when others grovel.  Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth.  Puts up with anything.  Trusts God always.  Always looks for the best.  Never looks back, but keep going to the end.”

OK - OK - He does have to keep reminding us - we are slow learners - we revert to our true nature too easily.

LOVE - GOD’S LOVE - He sent His only son to live among His people - Jesus showed His people how to love one another.

COME ON - GET WITH IT - CHRISTMAS is that time of year when we have the best opportunity to show the world what we have learned from God - our love for one another!

Prayer: Savior, keep reminding us daily that we must follow Your path and love one another as You love us.  May we find many ways to show that love to our fellow man so they too will come to worship the babe born on Christmas morn along with us.  Amen.

Wednesday, December 7

John 15:13

Jim Bowen

John 15:13

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

When we think of modern examples of those who have demonstrated this kind of love, we often focus on Medal of Honor recipients.  The most recent recipient, Sgt. Dakota Meyer, repeatedly put himself in harm’s way for six hours to rescue others.  A small portion of his citation reads, “. . . steadfast devotion to his U.S. and Afghan comrades in the face of almost certain death . . .”  The citation, describing his actions on that terrible day, surely echoes Jesus’ words, spoken to exhort, encourage, and strengthen his followers against the apparently-devastating events that were shortly to follow.

These words came back to Jesus’ followers with full meaning after his crucifixion and resurrection.  Jesus truly practiced what he preached.  Yet, Jesus’ entire ministry can be seen as simply demonstrating love through service to others, and teaching us to do the same.  Thankfully, not many of us will face the extreme situations of Medal of Honor recipients or of Jesus’ suffering for others, but each one of us should “lay down one’s life” each day in acts of service to others, demonstrating the kind of love Jesus had in mind.

In the Advent season, we particularly focus on others, as we prepare food and gifts, and donate to those less fortunate.  Jesus encourages us to maintain this attitude throughout the year and to simply help when we encounter those in need.

Prayer:  Father, may our love be expanded, through the action of the Holy Spirit, so that our lives may be lived in devotion to others, and we may come into the care of Your loving arms.  Amen.

Tuesday, December 6

John 13:34

Lisa Brown

John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

This commandment Jesus gave to the disciples seems like an easy commandment to keep. But was it? The love that Jesus showed for his disciples was boundless, even when He knew that He would be betrayed; yet He knew that their love for Him would show up in the way they treated others. For the disciples to show unconditional love for others would show that they were truly believers in Christ, and were following His example. I believe this commandment was not only for the disciples present at the time, but for all of us who are believers in Christ, and in His love for us. Jesus is not just saying to love one another, but to love one another “just as I have loved you.”  OK, now it doesn’t seem so easy.  Is it possible? To give unconditional, boundless love. What a great thing to aspire to, to work toward!

Dear Lord, please be with us, and help us to follow this commandment to love one another. Help us to treat each other with the kindness and respect that Jesus showed not only to His disciples, but to everyone he met. Help us, Lord, not to dwell on ourselves, but to think of others and their needs. Help us to love others, following in the example of Jesus. Amen.

Monday, December 5

Isaiah 40:11

Barbara Young

Isaiah 40:11

He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms and carry them close to His heart and gently lead those that have young.

Starting with chapter 40, Isaiah’s emphasis shifts away from judgment toward comfort.  Isaiah 40:1 begins, “’Comfort, O comfort my people,’ says your God. ‘Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and cry to her...that her penalty is paid.’”  This is a dramatic change of tone—gone are the bleak predictions of judgment.  Instead Isaiah gives a message of hope, joy and light.  Their God has not rejected them.  Yahweh is a God of compassion and love and in forgiveness He will gather the exiles up and lead them home as the shepherd leads his sheep.  The love of God is so poignant because He doesn’t just prod them along; He is gentle with them.  He even picks them up and holds them close. 

Nothing speaks to me more of love and comfort than being held close to my Mother’s heart as she gently rocked me to sleep after nursing me.  That same experience as I cuddled my own daughters after feeding them is one of the memories I treasure most. 

Isaiah 40:11 is the joyous triumphant proclamation of the One who is to come in power and mercy.  At this Christmas season we give thanks that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and our Shepherd as well.  He gently corrects and guides us, seeks us when we stray and restores us to His marvelous fellowship.  He provides for our every need and comforts us in times of distress.

Our Heavenly Father, We thank You for Your boundless love and tender care of us.  Help us to show the same love and care for all of Your flock.  Amen. 

Sunday, December 4

John 3:16, 1 John 4:19

Loren Walker

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.

 I John 4:19

We love because He first loved us.

When our oldest daughter had her first child it was a wonderful event in our lives…our first grandchild Antonio! Shortly after Antonio was born we got a letter from our daughter that told us a lot about love reciprocated. She said,
“One of my first and most pleasant memories of being a young child was the way Mom or Dad handled me after a bath. You would dry me off, wrap me up in a towel, and then cuddle me close to you to keep me warm until I was thoroughly dry. I thought it was the most wonderful, loving thing a parent could do. But now, I cuddle little wet Antonio that same way, and I find out that you were doing that for you own pleasure as well as mine.”

Love is like that. God sent His Son out of His love. He sent Jesus to wrap us in the mantle of His grace to keep us from having to pay the penalty of our sins. It was a loving thing for God to do. And we naturally love God because He showed His love for us in this wonderful way.

Prayer:

Gracious God, we thank You for loving us enough to send Your Son for our salvation. Jesus showed us by His life what You are really like: not demanding and vengeful, but compassionate, loving, and forgiving. May we show our gratitude to You by reciprocating that love.  By having a sincere love of Christ, and a desire to be the persons He would want us to be.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.