Day 9: by Juno Smalley
Emmanuel means God with Us! What a profound reality! Emmanuel doesn't mean the road in life will be smooth and easy. It means God is with us, no matter what! The reality is both profound and simple. No matter what we have done or what we haven't done, God is with us. Because Emmanuel, God is with us; we are never alone no matter your fear, your pain, or your struggle, God is with you, and in God’s presence you will find joy.
Monday's Song
Don't skip this part of the Christmas Reflections because you don't feel like a song. I confess that this is another song that I’ve listened to numerous times throughout the year. This incredibly beautiful song by Terrian will point you to Jesus with the profound truth that God is indeed with us. This song God With Us deserves your attention today and many other days. I suggest you play this as you prepare for the day, as you eat breakfast, and even throughout your day. As we immerse ourselves in the reality of Emmanuel, God will use us in ways we never thought possible. Go ahead and listen to it - a lot! As you are reminded of the reality that God is with you, may your heart be filled with joy.
Monday's Prayer
Lord, thank you for music and how you use it to speak to our hearts in ways the spoken word simply can't. Thank you for using music as a way to speak to our emotions about your truths. Thank you for the gift of music and how it can heal our hurts and bring us closer to you.
Thank you for being Emmanuel, God with us. Thank you for being with our church. For our church, for those who call New Life their home, thank you for their passion to be missional as we are New Life for the City and beyond.
We call on your provision again as we enter 2024. This could be another year of unpredictability as we step into unknown territories of a lingering pandemic, distrust towards people in authority, our upcoming elections, the pain of war in this world, and the incredible impact on our world's emotional health and the world economy.
Thank you for being Emmanuel and bringing joy into my life. Thank you for bringing people into my life who need to experience you in their hearts, not just in their heads. Remind me to pray for my neighbors and help them to see the joy you provide to me so that they may experience you as Emmanuel
AMEN
Thank you for being Emmanuel, God with us. Thank you for being with our church. For our church, for those who call New Life their home, thank you for their passion to be missional as we are New Life for the City and beyond.
We call on your provision again as we enter 2024. This could be another year of unpredictability as we step into unknown territories of a lingering pandemic, distrust towards people in authority, our upcoming elections, the pain of war in this world, and the incredible impact on our world's emotional health and the world economy.
Thank you for being Emmanuel and bringing joy into my life. Thank you for bringing people into my life who need to experience you in their hearts, not just in their heads. Remind me to pray for my neighbors and help them to see the joy you provide to me so that they may experience you as Emmanuel
AMEN
Posted in Advent Devotional 2022