Week 3 - While we are waiting on God we are waiting with God, God is there the whole time.

Day 21 - COMPASSION OVER CONSUMPTION 

Today we pause to embrace the spirit of Christmas. 

Scripture: In the words of the Lord Jesus Himself, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35b) 

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You are a giver and not a taker, and You have given so freely to me. Help me see how much I have in You. Please give me the opportunity today to share with someone else what You have so freely entrusted to me. Amen. 

Week 4 - Who you become while you are waiting is

as important as what you are waiting for.

Day 22 - No Other Name

Scripture: 'In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ‘ Philippians 2:5-11

Devotion: Christmas led to the Cross, and on both days Jesus accomplished what no one else could. There is no one like Him — no one even comes close. No name on this earth can be mentioned in the same sentence with His. He is supreme. Stellar. Significant. Sturdy. He stands the test of time…and then some.

Jesus has the Name that makes demons tremble. The name that vanquishes death. The name that breaks iron bars. The name that sets prisoners free. Jesus is the highest and most honorable of all. Jesus alone is holy. He trumps everything and everyone. And anyone who thinks differently is a fool for doing so. The name of Jesus awakens the dead, and gives them life. His name awakens the dawn and ushers the night.

And this name he has given to all who believe in him. For all who call on the name of Jesus will be saved.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the name of Jesus. Jesus, there is no other name like yours. You humbly came and laid your life down. Now you are exalted to the highest place of all. I bend my knees to you today. Your name alone sets me free. I want my life and breath o make much of the name that is greater than all others. Amen.

Day 23 - Humility Looks Good on Everyone

Scripture: 'But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

'Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. ‘ 1 Peter 5:5-7

Devotion:  Jesus is the king of kings, yet he arrived as his humble servant. The escorted by angels, he arrived on earth wrapped in humility. So many times we missed the mark and we think about humility is really  about. Humility is not thinking you are less, it is never forgetting the fact that it is Jesus who made you more. So, how do you become like Jesus? How do you develop a spirit of humility?

Humility is the byproduct of being with Jesus. Anyone who walks intimately with him will not think more highly of themselves then they should. To be loved by Jesus and invited into a relationship with him, is all we need to right-size ourselves and to take on his gentleness and grace.

To be humble doesn’t mean you have to be weak. God has given you all you need to live confidently as his child. The proud refuse to lift up gods name and praise. Yet he raises the humble to new heights.

Day 24 - Light of the world (Christmas eve)

Scripture: 'The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.‘ Isaiah 9:2-3

'For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:6

Devotion: There is no doubt we are living in dark times. Violence and injustice are everywhere. People hurt themselves, and hurt those around them. Nations war, captives are taken, the innocent suffer, and the earth itself rages with tempests, earthquakes, floods, and famine.

This is the residue of sin on planet earth. Things are broken people are hurting. The night is here. Darkness is upon us. Yet shining in the night is a Savior, and he has come to shine on you. In fact, scripture says that he gives his light to all who trust in him.

Christ has calm, and he has come to you. Fuss, he is setting you and his church on the hill for all to see. Look for the darkness and head that way. Seek out injustice and right it. Speak into violence and make peace. That is how he will shine brightest, and is needed most.

Day 25 - preparing the way (Christmas DAy)

Scripture: 'His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:67-79

Devotion: When God gets ready to do something great, he prepares away. One thing leads to another and when the time is right, God arrives to do it only he can do. So don’t be bogged down today by the hard work of building roads for those around you. Remove the stones were you can. Pave a smooth path when you have the opportunity.

You may not get to see the harvest every time, but you can plant the seed. You may not be there when your friend puts her faith in Jesus, but you can play your part by telling her about his love. With God, nothing is wasted. Some plant, others water, and still others harvest. Sometimes we get to do all three. But every time, it is God who is doing the work to bring the increase.

What can you do today to show somebody the way to word freedom in life? Think of yourself as a way-maker God is using to make paths that will help others see and savor Jesus more.