God Is Near: We Accept
Weekly Prayer focus: Sometimes what we hear has a hard time taking root and growing. Pray that your heart would be fertile ground for the grace of God to wrok, that others would hear your words of faith, and see your faithful action and be led to hear, believe and accept for themselves.
December 12
Scripture: Zephaniah 3: 14-20
Rejoice, Daughter Zion! Shout, Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem.
The Lord has removed your judgment; he has turned away your enemy.
The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you will no longer fear evil.
On that day, it will be said to Jerusalem: Don’t fear, Zion. Don’t let your hands fall.
The Lord your God is in your midst—a warrior bringing victory.
He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.
I will remove from you those worried about the appointed feasts. They have been a burden for her, a reproach.
Watch what I am about to do to all your oppressors at that time.
I will deliver the lame; I will gather the outcast.
I will change their shame into praise and fame throughout the earth.
At that time, I will bring all of you back, at the time when I gather you.
I will give you fame and praise among all the neighboring peoples when I restore your possessions and you can see them—says the Lord.
Carol: The King of Glory Comes
December 13
Scripture: Matthew 11: 13-15
All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came. If you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let the person who has ears, hear.
Carol: Angels We Have Heard on High https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Xo0lWhiAqrgKIa3aIz__k7gTiNcwsBo/view?usp=sharing
December 14
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2: 11-13
Likewise, you know how we treated each of you like a father treats his own children. We appealed to you, encouraged you, and pleaded with you to live lives worthy of the God who is calling you into his own kingdom and glory.
We also thank God constantly for this: when you accepted God’s word that you heard from us, you welcomed it for what it truly is. Instead of accepting it as a human message, you accepted it as God’s message, and it continues to work in you who are believers.
Carol: Silent Night https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZCQi0u2TkPGpICg81bBhN-CXlBYGCIvT/view?usp=sharing
December 15
Scripture: Joshua 22: 1-6
Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh. He said to them, “You obeyed everything that Moses the Lord’s servant commanded you. You have also obeyed me in everything that I have commanded you. During these many years, you never once deserted your fellow Israelites. You faithfully obeyed the command of the Lord your God. The Lord your God has now given rest to your fellow Israelites, exactly as he promised them. So turn around and go back home. Go to the land where you hold property, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on the other side of the Jordan. Just be very careful to carry out the commandment and Instruction that Moses the Lord’s servant commanded you. Love the Lord your God. Walk in all his ways and obey his commandments. Hold on to him and serve him with all your heart and being.” Then Joshua blessed them. He sent them away, and they went home.
Carol: Rise Up Shepherd https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ui97Z3Kk_4rcJ-x3kuLiRQ1T63SxduBp/view?usp=sharing
December 16
Scripture: Hebrews 10: 5-10
Therefore, when he comes into the world he says,
You didn’t want a sacrifice or an offering, but you prepared a body for me; you weren’t pleased with entirely burned offerings or a sin offering.
So then I said, “Look, I’ve come to do your will, God. This has been written about me in the scroll.”
He says above, You didn’t want and you weren’t pleased with a sacrifice or an offering or with entirely burned offerings or a purification offering, which are offered because the Law requires them. Then he said, Look, I’ve come to do your will. He puts an end to the first to establish the second. We have been made holy by God’s will through the offering of Jesus Christ’s body once for all.
Carol: Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
December 17
Scripture: Luke 1: 39-45
Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. With a loud voice she blurted out, “God has blessed you above all women, and he has blessed the child you carry. Why do I have this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.”
Carol: Calypso Carol https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SP6n4bzcIqEdFNsnE25V74oUhUUMniDT/view?usp=sharing
December 18
Scripture: Luke 1: 46-55
Mary said,
“With all my heart I glorify the Lord!
In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.
He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.
Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored because the mighty one has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
He shows mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, who honors him as God.
He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.
He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed.
He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, just as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”
Carol: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWDOVc2VHLRkpqzLWwEXGT6p7SR4jRX9/view?usp=sharing
