Day 4: by Juno Smalley
The more I slow down and listen, the more I am reminded that people across our country are broken, grieving. Many lives are being shattered or are falling apart, and there is dysfunction in relationships from one coast to the other. There continues to be a wave of fear about illnesses, there are unstable marriages everywhere, children and grandchildren making painful decisions daily, there remains uncertainty in our economy, and the reality of war is upon too many countries. For a variety of reasons, there continues to be an air of distrust and confusion towards many of our government agencies, medical professionals, those in authority and even the church.
And yet we are supposed to celebrate Christmas! How are we to do that? Well, one way is to be intentional with our time and what information we allow to pass into our minds and hearts.
It is encouraging to see that you are being intentional as you take the time to journey through these Christmas Reflections, which is also a journey into what is known as Advent. You are being intentional as you commit to talking with Jesus daily (that’s called prayer) and letting Jesus speak to your heart.
You are practicing those Holy Habits (spiritual disciplines), guarding your heart, and praying as you read and listen to Christmas Reflections.
And yet we are supposed to celebrate Christmas! How are we to do that? Well, one way is to be intentional with our time and what information we allow to pass into our minds and hearts.
It is encouraging to see that you are being intentional as you take the time to journey through these Christmas Reflections, which is also a journey into what is known as Advent. You are being intentional as you commit to talking with Jesus daily (that’s called prayer) and letting Jesus speak to your heart.
You are practicing those Holy Habits (spiritual disciplines), guarding your heart, and praying as you read and listen to Christmas Reflections.
Wednesday's Song
As a church, we have undoubtedly experienced God's move in some incredible ways, both corporately and individually. What gives us HOPE is hearing and experiencing God’s faithfulness in the midst of fear and uncertainty because we also live in the reality that we are still in God’s hands. Listen and be reminded of how God will Do it Again.
Wednesday's Prayer
May your prayer be:
that Jesus makes your heart right with HIM,
that you find time to 'sit with God’ and to allow God to speak to you,
that Jesus reminds YOU of his presence and his power to overcome darkness.
that Jesus will remove your fears
and that you use your gifts to let your light shine for Jesus.
May you will be reminded of the power of the resurrection and that Jesus blows through the gates of Hell for the hearts of the people, He Will Do it Again.
that Jesus makes your heart right with HIM,
that you find time to 'sit with God’ and to allow God to speak to you,
that Jesus reminds YOU of his presence and his power to overcome darkness.
that Jesus will remove your fears
and that you use your gifts to let your light shine for Jesus.
May you will be reminded of the power of the resurrection and that Jesus blows through the gates of Hell for the hearts of the people, He Will Do it Again.
Posted in Advent Devotional 2022