Advent Family Devotions December 14, 2012

Love with Discernment

Opening Prayer: Dear Lord, even when we try to love others we can get tripped up.  Thank You for showing us a better way. Amen.

Scripture:  Philippians 1.9-11
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Meditation:

     I once knew a man who gave away everything he had for Jesus. He was quite proud of that. He was especially proud of giving up his television.  But life didn't go so well for this fellow. He had trouble holding a job and taking care of his own needs. He soon needed the help of his family to keep going.

     Love is about giving up for others. But more than that, love is about being built up in order to help others. Love shouldn't primarily be about us and what we are giving. Love should be about God, what He has given us, and what we can give to others through Him. 

     The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, "It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment..."  How does that happen?  It happens when Christians are wise enough to listen to God, to learn from Him, and then to focus on the love that He commands.  When we say to ourselves, "I don't need to pay attention to my Sunday School teacher; I don't need to memorize that Bible passage; I don't need to go to any Bible class... I just need to do good things for the Lord..." We are bound to get tripped up.  

    God calls us to love our neighbors, but He also calls us to love Him. He gave these two commands, not just the first, because He knows that the only way we can truly love others is if we love God and have received His love in Jesus Christ.  Paul stresses that the "fruit of righteousness" (true good works that truly help people) "comes through Jesus Christ," and these are the only good works that ultimately do any good and that result in "the glory and praise of God."  

For Discussion:  
1. Why do you think people think good works are more important than listening to God? (We can be proud of our good works. Listening to God means we have to repent and recognize our need for God's forgiveness.)

2.  Why is it better to listen to God and then to do the good works He desires?  (If we listen to God, we can tell others about Him and they can see that the good we are doing is really from God and not from us. That will help them to love God also.)  

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, thank You for teaching us so many good things and for doing the best thing of all for us - giving up Your life for our forgiveness and salvation. Help us to remember the things You taught as well as what You did so that we might teach good things and do good things for others. Amen.  

Hymn:  "Blessed Jesus, At Thy Word" by Tobias Clausnitzer

Click here for the melody.

Click here for J. S. Bach's beautiful prelude - Orgelbuchlein - BWV 633 


Blessed Jesus, at Thy word
We are gathered all to hear Thee;
Let our hearts and souls be stirred
Now to seek and love and fear Thee,
By Thy teachings, sweet and holy,
Drawn from earth to love Thee solely.

All our knowledge, sense, and sight
Lie in deepest darkness shrouded
Till Thy Spirit breaks our night
With the beams of truth unclouded.
Thou alone to God canst win us;
Thou must work all good within us.

Glorious Lord, Thyself impart,
Light of Light, from God proceeding;
Open Thou our ears and heart,
Help us by Thy Spirit’s pleading;
Hear the cry Thy people raises,
Hear and bless our prayers and praises.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Praise to Thee and adoration!
Grant that we Thy Word may trust
And obtain true consolation
While we here below must wander,
Till we sing Thy praises yonder.

Advent Family Devotions December 13, 2012

St. Lucia

Opening Prayer:  Dear Jesus, thank You for coming at Christmas to save us from evil. Amen.

Scripture:  2 Timothy 3.12-17

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Message:

     As we get ready to celebrate one of the happiest and most joyous events in the life of Jesus – His birth at Christmas – we also should remember that most people who were alive at the time of the first Christmas did not love Jesus or welcome Him.

     You remember that there was no room for Mary and Joseph when they went to Bethlehem. No one would even give up their room for Mary to have her baby.   Mary had to lay Jesus in a manger.  As we continue reading further about the first Christmas, we remember that King Herod was very angry about the birth of Jesus, and he tried to kill Him. 

     Many people would try to argue with Jesus and try to hurt Him.  Finally Jesus died on the cross.  But His dying became our salvation.  Just as Jesus’ birth was a great miracle, so was His resurrection from the dead.  Jesus conquered all the evil of this world with the power of God’s love. 

     All the disciples of Jesus would eventually suffer persecution.  As they taught about Jesus, some would believe, but many would reject His love.  They would get angry, and they would hurt the disciples.  But they were not afraid.  They knew that God’s love in Jesus was stronger than any evil of this world. 

     There have been many Christians who have suffered for their faith. Today, in some parts of the world, Christians are remembering a girl named Lucia.  Lucia lived in Italy about three hundred years after the time of Jesus.  She was a Christian.  A man wanted to marry Lucia, but she didn’t want to be married.  He got angry with her and betrayed her to the governor.  The governor tried to make Lucia worship the emperor instead of Jesus, but she would not.  For this Lucia became a martyr.  Since her name means “light,” some Christians began to remember her faithfulness by making wreathes of candles that they wore on their heads. 

     In our Scripture lesson today, St. Paul wrote to Timothy and encouraged him not to be afraid of evil people.  He told him to keep on remembering God’s word and doing good works.  That is still important advice for all Christians today:  Remember God’s word and our salvation in Jesus.  Keep doing the good works that shine the light of God’s love in this world.  (Good Shepherd Chapel Message, December 13, 2012)

Prayer:  Lord of Life, help all the people of the world who are being persecuted for their faith. Help me to remember Your word, Your salvation and help me to do good works so that the light of Your love might be known in this world. Amen.  

Hymn:  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Click here for the melody.

O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:  Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel Shall come to Thee, O Israel

O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,

And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Refrain 

Advent Family Devotion for Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Advent Healing

(Photo by GSLC Member Bob Morris, Collinsville, Illinois)

Opening Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for coming to bring forgiveness for our sins and healing for our diseases. Amen.

Scripture:  Malachi 4.2
"But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings."

Meditation:
     Yesterday I visited one of our members in the hospital. She is broken. She is hurt. She needs healing. Sooner or later all of us have to experience this. We become sick or we are hurt. Life if full of trouble like that.

     Some people try not to think about it. They avoid hospitals. They don't talk to their friends who are sick or hurt. They try to imagine that nothing bad will ever happen to them. That is very sad, because they are going to have a very hard time when things become difficult.

     In many places the Bible says that the Messiah* comes to bring righteousness (forgiveness of sins) and healing.  Malachi compares the Messiah to a sunrise.  As the sun begins to rise, the light shoots out like a bird lifting up its wings.  

     Jesus comes like that. His righteousness and healing shoot out to all the world. In His earthly ministry He healed many people. Today He hears our prayers and gives us healing according to His will. One day all disease and death will be healed in heaven.

     * The Greek translation of "Messiah" is "Christ."  

For Discussion:
1.  Do you know anyone who is sick?

2.  What could you do to help them?  (Visit, Send a Card, Say a Prayer)

3.  How could you remind them that Jesus brings healing?  (Share Bible promises with them.)  

Closing Prayer:
Dear Jesus, please help all the sick people, especially _____________.  Remind them that You came to bring healing for our souls and for our bodies.  Amen. 

Hymn:  "Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadow" Paul Gerhardt

Click here for the melody.

Now rest beneath night’s shadow
The woodland, field, and meadow,
The world in slumber lies;
But thou, my heart, awake thee,
To prayer and song betake thee;
Let praise to thy Creator rise.

The radiant sun hath vanished,
His golden rays are banished
By night, the foe of day;
But Christ, the Sun of gladness,
Dispelling all my sadness,
Within my heart holds constant sway.

The rule of day is over
And shining jewels cover
The heaven’s boundless blue.
Thus I shall shine in heaven,
Where crowns of gold are given
To all who faithful prove and true.

To rest my body hasteth,
Aside its garments casteth,
Types of mortality;
These I put off and ponder
How Christ will give me yonder
A robe of glorious majesty.

Lord Jesus, who dost love me,
Oh, spread Thy wings above me
And shield me from alarm!
Though evil would assail me,
Thy mercy will not fail me:
I rest in Thy protecting arm.

Advent Family Devotions Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Is Jesus Real?

Opening Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help us to learn as much as we can about You, to believe in You, and to live in You.  Amen.  

Scripture:  Luke 2.1-3
"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town."

Meditation:
     Sunday, December 23rd, children from Good Shepherd will be presenting their own Christmas service. Some of the children are practicing recitations from the Bible including the passage above.  Whoever reads that little passage is going to have to work a little aren't they? There are some specific names, titles and places mentioned.  These kinds of passages, as difficult as they may be to say, are very important. They show that the Bible is not just a story book.  It is a very real book telling us about real people, places and events.   

     Newsweek magazine is now running an article questioning the truthfulness of the Christmas account in the Bible. We always see these kinds of articles and documentaries coming at this time of the year. But if you actually read the Bible and just think a little about what you are reading, you will easily see that this isn't a story book at all.  There are just too many facts that connect with real life and history.

     What do we really know about Jesus?  We know a lot. But most important, at Christmas we know that Jesus is God's Son, who was born of the Virgin Mary to save us from our sins.  

For Discussion:
1.  Why do people like to think that the Bible is just a story book and and not a book about real people and real things?  (Controversy sells magazines!  Some people just don't want to believe in Jesus.)

2.  Why is it such a blessing to know that Jesus is real?  (Because our sins and all our problems in life are very real, and we need a very real savior.)

Closing Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for giving us the Bible and for teaching us about Jesus. Help us to learn more about Him and to live in faith and love according to Your word.  Amen.

Hymn:  "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly"

Click here for the melody.


Infant holy, infant lowly,
For His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ the child is Lord of all.
Swiftly winging, angels singing,
Bells are ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the child is Lord of all!
Christ the child is Lord of all!

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
Vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory, heard the story,
Tidings of a Gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
Praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the child was born for you!
Christ the child was born for you!

Advent Family Devotions Monday, December 10, 2012

My Messenger

Opening Prayer:
Lord God, we praise You that You keep all Your promises. Above all, we thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus whose way Malachi prophesied and John prepared. Help us to respond to this gift with great joy. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Scripture: Malachi 3.1
Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.

Meditation:

Today’s reading comes from the book of Malachi. The identity of this prophet is unknown and many scholars indicate that this book is not named after the prophet but rather comes from this verse. The words translated as “my messenger” come from the Hebrew word “Malachi.” So the author of the book of Malachi may well have had this name or because this verse is so important to this short book and so important in salvation history the book and the unknown author have simply become known as “my messenger.”

This verse comes from the Old Testament lesson for the third Sunday in Advent and was chosen because of its fulfillment in the person and work of John the Baptizer. Clearly John comes to prepare the way of the Lord, but even more to the point of the prophesy the Lord Jesus comes not only as the Messenger of the covenant but also as the ultimate fulfillment of that covenant. That covenant first made with Adam and Eve in the Garden promised that a Savior would come.

The angel instructed Joseph to call the child Mary was expecting “Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” We call Him Savior, not because that is His name but because that is what He has accomplished for us. Like Malachi before Him the mission so was central to His life it became His name. We call Him Immanuel because He is God with us. Fulfilling the covenant by crushing Satan and saving us from our sin required the Son of God to like us in every way. The incarnation is a wondrous mystery and unfathomable gift. Still, as we confess in the Apostles’ creed, “He is conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead.” And as we also confess in the Nicene creed it was “for us men and for our salvation (He) came down from heaven.”

St. Paul writes, “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:21) This is the real gift of Christmas. By grace through faith in Christ we are declared right with God. The covenant has been fulfilled, the Savior has come, and now we like Malachi before us are privileged to be the messengers of the Good News of great joy.

For Discussion:

1. What do the names Jesus, Savior, Immanuel, Lord, Christ, mean to you?

2. We call ourselves Christian which means “little Christ.” How can we live up to the name that we claim?

3. The gift of Christmas is Christ and the message and mission of Christ is salvation. How can we share this Good News of great joy during this festive season.

Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to save us. As we look forward to celebrating Your birth again this Christmas help us to remember the purpose of Your coming and all You went through for us and for our salvation. Amen.

Hymn:  “Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord”

Click here for the melody.

1. Let the earth now praise the Lord.
Who hath truly kept His word
And the sinners' Help and Friend
Now at last to us doth send.

2. What the fathers most desired,
What the prophets' heart inspired,
What they longed for many a year,
Stands fulfilled in glory here.

3. Abrams promised great Reward,
Zion's Helper, Jacob's Lord, --
Him of twofold race behold, --
Truly came, as long foretold.

4. Welcome, 0 my Savior, now!
Hail! My Portion, Lord, art Thou.
Here, too, in my heart, I pray,
Oh, prepare Thyself a way!

5. King of Glory, enter in;
Cleanse it from the filth of sin,
As Thou hast so often done;
It belongs to Thee alone.

6. As Thy coming was in peace,
Quiet, full of gentleness,
Let the same mind dwell in me
That was ever found in Thee.

7. Comfort my desponding heart:
Thou my Strength and Refuge art.
I am weak, and cunningly
Satan lays his snares for me.

8. Bruise for me the Serpent's head,
That, set free from doubt and dread,
I may cleave to Thee in faith,
Safely kept through life and death,

9. And when Thou dost come again
As a glorious King to reign,
I with joy may see Thy face,
Freely ransomed by Thy grace.

Submitted by James F. Ritter

Advent Family Devotions Saturday, December 8, 2012

Like Adam and Eve

Opening Prayer:
Holy God,  save Your people and come to them. Do not let the world overcome them. Amen.

Scripture:  1 Thessalonians 3:13
"May [He] establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints."


Meditation:
What comes to your mind when You hear the words "blameless" and "holy"? I think of Adam and Eve before they turned from God and sinned. They had no evil thoughts. They did nothing wrong. They were completely innocent and blameless before God.

No one I know, myself included, is like that today. The Bible says, "We have all sinned and fall short of  glory of God" (Romans 3.23).  Everyone has to admit that. The Small Catechism says "We daily sin much and deserve nothing but God's wrath." No matter how hard we try to be good, we will never be good enough for God. No matter how hard we try to be the perfect child, parent, or Christian, we will never be able to do it.

God knows this, and that is why He sent His perfect Son, Jesus. Jesus came to show us our sin and to forgive us of our sin by His dying on the cross. He came to establish our "hearts blameless in holiness." He came to make us like Adam and Eve before they sinned.

Martin Luther recommended that everyday Christians should wake up and make the sign of the cross to remind them who they are and to whom they belong. He also recommended they say, "I pray that You would keep me this day from all sin and evil and that all my doings in life may please you. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul and all things..."

God will make us the way we need to be as we wait for His coming again.  Amen

For Discussion:
1. In what ways have you displeased God?
2. How did Jesus bring us holiness?
3.Do you think God will help you in your holiness if you ask Him?

Closing Prayer:
Dear Jesus, forgive me of all my sins, and help me everyday neither to fall into any kind of sin or danger. Amen

Hymn:  "Let Me Learn of Jesus"

Let me learn of Jesus;
He is kind to me;
Once He died to save me,
Nailed upon the tree.

When I go to Jesus,
He will hear me pray,
Make me pure and holy,
Take my sins away.

Let me think of Jesus;
He is full of love,
Looking down upon me
From His throne above.

Oh, how good is Jesus!
May He hold my hand
And at last receive me
To a better land.

Advent Family Devotions for Friday, December 7, 2012

Someone Will Come

Opening Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for coming at Christmas to be our Savior. Amen.

Scripture:
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  We bless you from the house of the Lord."
  Psalm 118.26

Meditation:
     What would you teach your children to do if they were lost in the woods?  That's a scary thought.  There are number of things that they should not do.  The United States Search and Rescue Task Force has a website that teaches children what they should do if they become lost in the woods.  One of the most important things they should do is to stay in one place.  They need to know that someone will come to them. Someone will find them.

     One of the most important truths of the Bible is that God comes to help and save His people. God came to Adam and Eve after they got lost in sin to talk to them, to lead them to repentance, and to forgive them. God came to Abraham when he was lost and wandering to give him a promise that He would bless him.  God came to Job when he was lost in pain and suffering to help and to heal him.

     When we feel like we are lost in this world, when we lose our way spiritually by turning away from God, we can be happy that God does not turn away from us.  He will come to us. He does come to us.  God sent His Son Jesus to save the entire world that was lost in sin.

     God came to us in our baptisms. He comes to us through His Word and in Holy Communion. Sometimes God comes to us through His helpers - our parents, teachers, pastors and friends.  When we feel a little lost, we can take be sure that someone will come. God will come.

For Discussion:
1. Talk about a time when you were lost.  How did you feel?
2. How were you found?  How did you feel about that?
3. As Christmas comes, how do we feel about God coming to us in Jesus?

Closing Prayer:
Dear God, if I ever get lost, help me to look to You, because I know You will help me. You sent Your Son to save me.  Amen.

Hymn: "I Am So Glad When Christmas Comes"

Click here for the melody.


I am so glad when Christmas comes,
The night of Jesus’ birth,
When Bethl’em’s star shone as the sun
And angels sang with mirth.

The little child of Bethlehem,
The King of heav’nly grace,
Came down from His exalted throne
To save our fallen race.

He’s now returned to heav’n above,
God’s Son He is alway;
He ne’er forgets His little ones
But hears them when they pray.

I too would sing my Savior’s praise,
My joy, my crown, my Lord;
For He has made me His own.