Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Friday, December 31, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Today marks the end of another year of serving You, another year of Your blessings in the midst of the good times and difficulties of my life. Thank You for always being there for me, for never leaving me nor forsaking m. I pray that as I read Peter’s charge to always be prepared to give a reason for the faith that lies in me one more time, that You will fill me anew with Your Holy Spirit that on this last day of 2004, I may speak up and live boldly to Your glory and honor. I pray that today You will bring someone across my path who needs to know Jesus. I pray that You will give me the opportunity to tell at least one person of the reason for the faith that lies in me. God, as I look forward to a new year, I thank You for all the ways that You have shown yourself to me in 2004, and all the reasons You have given me to share with others about the faith that lies within me. I pray that You will use me in 2005, to live in such a way that others will see You at work in me, and will want to become followers of Jesus, too! All this I pray in Jesus’ name and for the sake of His coming Kingdom! Amen.
God’s Word Today
1 Peter 3:13-16
13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Reflecting on God's Word
What is the one habit that you developed in 2004, in serving Jesus that you definitely want to continue in 2005?
What is one habit that you developed in 2004, that definitely does not glorify God, and how will you see that it ends here and now?
Understanding God's Word
What do you notice in today’s reading of 1 Peter 3:13-16 that you had missed up to this point?
What is the most surprising statement to you from 1 Peter 3:13-16?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What is the most important application of this week’s Scripture in your life right now?
Thoughts...Giving an Answer—Part III
What does God need to transform in you right now? We’re closing out a whole year today. When we wake up tomorrow it will 2005. We have the opportunity to start fresh tomorrow, not only with a new day, which God has given each of us every day of our lives, but with a whole new month and a whole new year. Is there any pattern of thought or speech that has consistently kept you from having a testimony with others, that you can leave “behind” in 2005? What habits have kept you from following Jesus? Do you need to go to bed earlier or get up earlier in 2005, so that you’ll be able to start Your day with the Lord? What relationships have been strained or broken in the past year that God could mend if you took them to Him, and allowed Him to transform Your attitude and to offer forgiveness? Are there areas in Your life where you need healing? Why not take some time right now a few minutes, an hour, whatever time you have to give to leaving 2004 here. That way when you wake up tomorrow, God’s transformation will be working in you in new and powerful ways, and you will have even more reasons to share with others about the faith that lies within You. I pray that all of us will take some time today to consider how our testimony would be strengthened, and how we will have a better answer for folks when they ask us the reason for the faith that we have, because we have taken this time right now to reflect on your presence and power in us, and to allow you to eliminate the sins and the weights that have kept us from being 100% sold out for Jesus 100% of the time. May this new year be one in which others will look at us an say, “Because of you, I know that the power of Jesus is real! Because of you, I want to follow Jesus, and let Him be the Savior and Lord of my life, too! God’s blessings to You, and may God grant you a healthy and Christ-centered 2005!