Return to Advent - Psalm 25

1 In you, LORD my God, I put my trust.

2 I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. (My head is high, GOD, held high; I’m looking to you, GOD; No hangdog skulking for me.)

3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.

4 Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. (Show me how you work, GOD; School me in your ways.)

5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren’t you?)

Questions for Reflection:

As you prepare for Christmas, do you find yourself in a hangdog posture? Is your head held high? Are you looking up to Jesus? Have you lost the JOY of Christmas or your salvation? What about daily salvation? Do you let Jesus be your daily Savior?

As Advent, and this time of waiting continues, what can you do differently to allow Him to take you by the hand and show you HIS path for you before Christmas?

Prayer of the Week:

My dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to you now to be restored in you, renewed in you, to receive your life and your love and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day. I honor you as my Lord, and I surrender every aspect and dimension of my life to you. I give you my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I cover myself with your blood—my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I ask your Holy Spirit to restore me in you, renew me in you, and lead this time of prayer.

Heavenly Father I pray that I am able to see clearly my place in your story as a dearly beloved child. You have given me all that I need for salvation and life in you and in your kingdom. And yet you desire me to be a participant in your kingdom and to join you in your mission to bring all things back to you. I get to do this! Holy Spirit guide me and direct me as I seek to follow you.

Jesus through waiting I pray that you give me opportunities to grow and mature in my faith. Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Jesus through waiting give me a deeper desire for you. I long for you to return and bring all things into new creation! I want more of you Jesus, fill me to overflowing with your life and your love.

Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. Jesus I renounce anything that is creating distance between us. (At this time feel free to spend a few moments confessing anything that rises to the top of your heart.)

Jesus I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them. I am waiting for your cue.

Amen.

Return to Advent - Romans 8:18-25

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Questions for Reflection:

When you hear the phrase wait patiently, how does it strike you? What might Jesus want you to see today in this passage about waiting with patience?

Circumstances often can not be controlled by us. How does looking at your situation as part of creation groaning help you endure as you wait for your Savior?

Prayer of the Week:

My dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to you now to be restored in you, renewed in you, to receive your life and your love and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day. I honor you as my Lord, and I surrender every aspect and dimension of my life to you. I give you my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I cover myself with your blood—my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I ask your Holy Spirit to restore me in you, renew me in you, and lead this time of prayer.

Heavenly Father I pray that I am able to see clearly my place in your story as a dearly beloved child. You have given me all that I need for salvation and life in you and in your kingdom. And yet you desire me to be a participant in your kingdom and to join you in your mission to bring all things back to you. I get to do this! Holy Spirit guide me and direct me as I seek to follow you.

Jesus through waiting I pray that you give me opportunities to grow and mature in my faith. Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Jesus through waiting give me a deeper desire for you. I long for you to return and bring all things into new creation! I want more of you Jesus, fill me to overflowing with your life and your love.

Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. Jesus I renounce anything that is creating distance between us. (At this time feel free to spend a few moments confessing anything that rises to the top of your heart.)

Jesus I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them. I am waiting for your cue.

Amen.

Return to Advent - James 5:7-8

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.

8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Questions for Reflection:

On a scale of 1-10 how patient are you in general?

How does the idea that waiting is a valuable part of life help you in working through impatience?

How does it help that nature is "slow" and we have lessons to learn from it?

Prayer of the Week:

My dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to you now to be restored in you, renewed in you, to receive your life and your love and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day. I honor you as my Lord, and I surrender every aspect and dimension of my life to you. I give you my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I cover myself with your blood—my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I ask your Holy Spirit to restore me in you, renew me in you, and lead this time of prayer.

Heavenly Father I pray that I am able to see clearly my place in your story as a dearly beloved child. You have given me all that I need for salvation and life in you and in your kingdom. And yet you desire me to be a participant in your kingdom and to join you in your mission to bring all things back to you. I get to do this! Holy Spirit guide me and direct me as I seek to follow you.

Jesus through waiting I pray that you give me opportunities to grow and mature in my faith. Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Jesus through waiting give me a deeper desire for you. I long for you to return and bring all things into new creation! I want more of you Jesus, fill me to overflowing with your life and your love.

Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. Jesus I renounce anything that is creating distance between us. (At this time feel free to spend a few moments confessing anything that rises to the top of your heart.)

Jesus I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them. I am waiting for your cue.

Amen.

Re:Turn to Advent - Isaiah 40:1-5, 28-31

1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Questions for Reflection:

Has God led you through a season of waiting in your life? And if so... what work or stuff did He prepare for you to do through that season?

Take a little time to hear Part 1, Scene 1 of Handel's Messiah... Link is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bocv0TAym0A

Prayer of the Week:

My dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to you now to be restored in you, renewed in you, to receive your life and your love and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day. I honor you as my Lord, and I surrender every aspect and dimension of my life to you. I give you my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I cover myself with your blood—my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I ask your Holy Spirit to restore me in you, renew me in you, and lead this time of prayer.

Heavenly Father I pray that I am able to see clearly my place in your story as a dearly beloved child. You have given me all that I need for salvation and life in you and in your kingdom. And yet you desire me to be a participant in your kingdom and to join you in your mission to bring all things back to you. I get to do this! Holy Spirit guide me and direct me as I seek to follow you.

Jesus through waiting I pray that you give me opportunities to grow and mature in my faith. Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Jesus through waiting give me a deeper desire for you. I long for you to return and bring all things into new creation! I want more of you Jesus, fill me to overflowing with your life and your love.

Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. Jesus I renounce anything that is creating distance between us. (At this time feel free to spend a few moments confessing anything that rises to the top of your heart.)

Jesus I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them. I am waiting for your cue.

Amen.

Re:Turn to Advent - John 11:17-27

17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Questions for Reflection:

In these verses we see Martha being so honest with Jesus, what is it like for you to be that honest with Jesus?

We also see Martha remind her heart of the truth about who Jesus is. What is it like for you to remind your heart of truth? Is there a particular truth that you typically cling to?

Jesus in these verses says one of His most profound things, "I am the resurrection and the life." What do you think He means by this? What is the difference between waiting for a thing or event versus waiting for a person?

Prayer of the Week:

My dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to you now to be restored in you, renewed in you, to receive your life and your love and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day. I honor you as my Lord, and I surrender every aspect and dimension of my life to you. I give you my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I cover myself with your blood—my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I ask your Holy Spirit to restore me in you, renew me in you, and lead this time of prayer.

Heavenly Father I pray that I am able to see clearly my place in your story as a dearly beloved child. You have given me all that I need for salvation and life in you and in your kingdom. And yet you desire me to be a participant in your kingdom and to join you in your mission to bring all things back to you. I get to do this! Holy Spirit guide me and direct me as I seek to follow you.

Jesus through waiting I pray that you give me opportunities to grow and mature in my faith. 4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Jesus through waiting give me a deeper desire for you. I long for you to return and bring all things into new creation! I want more of you Jesus, fill me to overflowing with your life and your love.

Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. Jesus I renounce anything that is creating distance between us. At this time feel free to spend a few moments confessing anything that rises to the top of your heart.

Jesus I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them. I am waiting for your cue.

Amen.

Re:Turn to Advent - John 11:1-6 & 14-15

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days,

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

Questions for Reflection:

How do you see Jesus taking His disciples on a journey for their faith in these verses? What is He trying to teach them?

When have you been lead by Jesus on a faith Journey, whether big or small?

What journey of faith might Jesus be leading you on right now?

Prayer of the Week:

My dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to you now to be restored in you, renewed in you, to receive your life and your love and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day. I honor you as my Lord, and I surrender every aspect and dimension of my life to you. I give you my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I cover myself with your blood—my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I ask your Holy Spirit to restore me in you, renew me in you, and lead this time of prayer.

Heavenly Father I pray that I am able to see clearly my place in your story as a dearly beloved child. You have given me all that I need for salvation and life in you and in your kingdom. And yet you desire me to be a participant in your kingdom and to join you in your mission to bring all things back to you. I get to do this! Holy Spirit guide me and direct me as I seek to follow you.

Jesus through waiting I pray that you give me opportunities to grow and mature in my faith. 4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Jesus through waiting give me a deeper desire for you. I long for you to return and bring all things into new creation! I want more of you Jesus, fill me to overflowing with your life and your love.

Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. Jesus I renounce anything that is creating distance between us. At this time feel free to spend a few moments confessing anything that rises to the top of your heart.

Jesus I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them. I am waiting for your cue.

Amen.

Immerse - Untangle - Give Thanks - Psalm 116:1-7,17-19

1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow.

4 Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!”

5 The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

6 The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.

7 Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.

17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.

18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people,

19 in the courts of the house of the Lord—in your midst, Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord.

Questions for Reflection:

How often do you find yourself telling Jesus, "I love You"? Does it seem odd? What benefit do you see in making it a regular part of your prayer life?

What dimensions of God's love for you does this Psalm help you immerse in?

What might a modern day "sacrifice a thank offering" look like?

Prayer of the Week:

(Note: This week’s prayer is designed with some pauses built in so when there is a pause don’t let it surprise you.)

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank you for the opportunity to be in your gracious presence in this moment. Jesus, restore me in You and renew me in you. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, untangle me Jesus, untangle me. I am Yours and You are mine. I immerse now in my identity as a child of my heavenly Father which you gave me in my baptism.

Father in heaven I thank and praise you specifically for your creation that surrounds me. Thank you for the natural world you have given me to live in and for the miracle of physical life that I experience in my body every moment. Jesus, help me thank you now!

(Take a 20 second pause to give thanks, out loud if possible, for God’s creation and all His provision for your physical life as you experience it today.)

Father, I praise and thank you for your love for me and the salvation you have given me through Your life, death and resurrection. I get to have life now and life eternal because of the gracious gift of Your life for me. Jesus help me give thanks for You now!

(Take a 20 second pause to give thanks, out loud if possible, for God’s gift of love and grace to you in Jesus as you experience it today.)

Father, I praise and thank you for people and relationships you have given me to experience. Thank you for gifting me with people who love me and care about me. Thank you for people, even if I do not know them personally, who You use to bring me blessing, provision and grace. Jesus help me thank you for people now!

(Take a 20 second pause to give thanks, out loud if possible, for God’s gift of people and relationships in your life. Notice the unique people and relationships God brings to mind on this particular day.)

Fill me afresh Holy Spirit so that I might live this day with a Spirit of gratitude in my heart and words of thanks on my lips.

(Allow your heart to continue to give continued thanks as you are inspired concluding this prayer with your own “Amen” when you are finished.)

Immerse - Untangle - Give Thanks - Colossians 3:15-17

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Questions for Reflection:

So when you hear the call to let the peace of Christ rule in your heart, what is YOUR reaction to that in light of hard situations?

Can you think of a time when you’ve experienced music and you really noticed it affected your soul in a calming way?

Prayer of the Week:

(Note: This week’s prayer is designed with some pauses built in so when there is a pause don’t let it surprise you.)

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank you for the opportunity to be in your gracious presence in this moment. Jesus, restore me in You and renew me in you. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, untangle me Jesus, untangle me. I am Yours and You are mine. I immerse now in my identity as a child of my heavenly Father which you gave me in my baptism.

Father in heaven I thank and praise you specifically for your creation that surrounds me. Thank you for the natural world you have given me to live in and for the miracle of physical life that I experience in my body every moment. Jesus, help me thank you now!

(Take a 20 second pause to give thanks, out loud if possible, for God’s creation and all His provision for your physical life as you experience it today.)

Father, I praise and thank you for your love for me and the salvation you have given me through Your life, death and resurrection. I get to have life now and life eternal because of the gracious gift of Your life for me. Jesus help me give thanks for You now!

(Take a 20 second pause to give thanks, out loud if possible, for God’s gift of love and grace to you in Jesus as you experience it today.)

Father, I praise and thank you for people and relationships you have given me to experience. Thank you for gifting me with people who love me and care about me. Thank you for people, even if I do not know them personally, who You use to bring me blessing, provision and grace. Jesus help me thank you for people now!

(Take a 20 second pause to give thanks, out loud if possible, for God’s gift of people and relationships in your life. Notice the unique people and relationships God brings to mind on this particular day.)

Fill me afresh Holy Spirit so that I might live this day with a Spirit of gratitude in my heart and words of thanks on my lips.

(Allow your heart to continue to give continued thanks as you are inspired concluding this prayer with your own “Amen” when you are finished.)