Humbly Sharing

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

There are all sorts of people in the world. There are people who are incredibly humble, not willing to accept congratulations or commendations for the work they do. Then there are people who are quite the opposite, even willing to accept the congratulations for work done by others!

While the latter is often far more annoying, the humble people can also be difficult to deal with at times. Why can’t some people accept a simple thank you?

Balance is important. It’s okay to receive some reward for the work we do, but we shouldn’t go too far.

In matters of faith, we seek to recognize the work God does in our lives, and humbly accepting the work He does. It’s in recognizing God’s work in our lives which allows us to share our faith so freely. Through sharing we are able to help other people see the work of God in their lives. And the more people who see God in their lives, the harder it is for the darkness to over come the Light of God in the world.

This Advent, may we see God’s Light fully in our lives through the gift of Jesus Christ.

Lord God, help me to see where You are most fully in my life.
May I see Your Light within me so I may share this Light with others, giving all glory to You. Amen.

Arise

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 60:1-3

We’re just 10 days from Christmas. For some, we may be starting to feel the pressure to make sure “everything is perfect!” The days feel impossibly short right now with the sun setting so early now. Our energy is waning in this marathon towards the big day.

Maybe you just want to curl up in a ball and hide under a blanket for a while.

Nothing wrong with that, if you ask me!

But this is also a time to look for the light. A time to seek the One who will chase away the darkness. A time for when the whole earth looks to see the radiance of the one born in Bethlehem, Jesus Christ our Lord.

So when we find our quiet space, let us take time to watch for the Light of the World and the hope, peace, joy and love he brings.

Lord God, let Your Light shine on me. In my darkness may I know Your Light will lead my way.
Help me to turn to Jesus Christ in this season as the One who comes to save the world. Amen.

The Christ child is not just for us, but for all the world. #ShareTheGift

Building Blocks

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:5-9

When my kids were smaller we used to make basic structures out of building blocks. The fun was in seeing how high we could build them. Once we made it all the way to the ceiling before it came crashing down. Oh the squeals of joy that would come out of the children!

The key to getting them so high was to be sure we had a good strong base. The stronger the base of the tower the higher we could get.

God wants us to stand tall too. God wants to build us up higher than anything else, and like the building blocks, we need a strong base.

Jesus is that base.

When we start with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, God is able to build us up with new life, new hope, new joy, and new peace. And from that strong base and our high tower, God is able to work in the lives of others through the work that we do in His name, building more towers on strong bases.

This Advent season, let’s work on building a good, strong base on which God can build. Let us look to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, the foundation of our lives.

Lord God, I wish to stand tall in my faith. Help me grow on the strong base
You have given us, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Make Music

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:6-14

Often listening to music is one of the most emotional experiences we can have.

There are playlists for just about any mood we can have. Feeling down? There’s a whole genre of music to be there with you. Excited? Well, there’s a lot of music for then as well!

There is little which connects to our hearts more than music.

And making and singing music is also a very powerful way to connect to God. And at this time there are so many beautiful hymns and carols which speak of God’s gift to the world. Songs we wish we could sing all year round, but that would be awkward at times.

So we reserve them for this month. A month in which we are getting ready. Getting ready for the birth of a Saviour, a gift to the whole earth.

A gift to you and to me.

The gift of a Saviour, with love, from God.

Lord God, my heart bursts with the joy of the music we sing.
May my heart be always full of Your love for me as shown in Your gift to us. Amen.