Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your passionate commitment to us! Thank You for loving us despite any indication that we love You back at times. Thank You for being willing to send Your one and only Son to die, to shed His precious blood, that we might live. I pray that You will pour Your Holy Spirit upon me today that I may be empowered to live boldly and lovingly for You. Use every interaction I have with others as an opportunity to advance Your Kingdom. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today
(Since the focus of worship Dec. 12, is the Children’s Program “Cradle to Crowns,” the Scripture readings this week will come from the program. We will expand on each of the Scriptures and invest a couple days to examining each!
Isaiah 9:6-7
6For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the LORD Almighty will guarantee this!
Psalm 149:1-4
1 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.
2 O Israel, rejoice in your Maker. O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King.
3 Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp.
4 For the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.
Revelation 4:9-11
9Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one who lives forever and ever. And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.”
Reflecting on God's Word
Who do you think has been the greatest leader of all time to this point? Why?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
According to Isaiah, how will the child rule? (9:7)
What is our assurance that this will happen? (9:7)
Understanding God's Word
Of all the attributes Isaiah could have ascribed to the Messiah’s leadership, why do you think that God had Him emphasize fairness, and justice?
What does this Scripture teach us about God?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What is the most important thing today’s Scripture calls you to do?
Thoughts...The Passionate Commitment of the LORD Almighty!
Some translations use the word “zeal” rather than the phrase “passionate commitment,” when referring to God’s fulfillment of the prophecy of sending the Messiah to rule over us, but isn’t it incredibly comforting to know that God is zealous for or passionately committed to us? So many of the world’s religions see God as either a vague and distant ruler, or as non-existent that the claims of Christianity concerning God are incredible to say the least. They are incredible because they say that the one, true and living God of the universe cares about us—not only cares—but is absolutely passionate about seeing us come to know Him, and be in relationship with Him. If we had any doubt whatsoever about this passionate commitment, Jesus takes every ounce of it away. Jesus is God’s “exclamation point” on His passionate commitment toward us! Jesus came to show us that God will go to any lengths to be in relationship with us. During this time of preparing the way of the Lord, for ourselves and others, what is holding you back from a passionate commitment to Him? Whatever it is, let it go! You’ll be eternally grateful you did!