Category: Advent

alive

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PRAY

Lord God, Jesus is victorious! Let us live in this truth and see His power in your word today.

WRITE

Revelation isn’t what we usually think about when we are anticipating the birth of our Savior. But, I think it is important to look at who Christ is as we prepare to see His coming as a helpless baby.

READ Revelation 1:9-18

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.'” Revelation 1:17-18

  • Can you imagine seeing a vision of the risen Savior? Here we see a description of John’s vision and Jesus’s directive. What does Jesus ask him to do?
  • In John’s awe, he falls to His knees and Jesus does what?
  • Jesus first comforts John and then declares who He is. Write down the phrases that He uses to describe Himself.
  • We see a picture of a victorious, risen, eternal Savior what is your reaction?

GROW

 Lord you are mighty. You are victorious. You are the first and the last and you are the Living One. We praise you for you have conquered death and hold the keys to our eternity. Lord as we prepare to celebrate your birth, help us to see your power and majesty wrapped in the tiny baby in a manger. Help us to see what you gave up to come to earth to be our Savior. Alleluia! In Jesus Name… Amen

Finished

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PRAY

Lord God, thank you for Your finished work on the cross. Lord help us to see your purpose more clearly, and work in our hearts and minds to reveal yourself to us today.

WRITE

READ John 19:28-30

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’ 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said,’It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:28-30

  • Jesus came for a purpose – think back to our study of Jesus as the good Shepherd. (“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15). What is that purpose?
  • What does Jesus’s statement “It is finished” say to you (Read also Romans 5:6-11?

GROW

  • He died for you. Jesus died so that you may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Write a praise to God for the gift of His Son!

 Lord help us to live abundantly through the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on Him the founder and perfecter of our faith. Help us to celebrate Jesus’s coming while we remember the purpose of it. Lord help us have hearts and lips full of your praises for we who were once dead have been made alive in Christ. In Jesus name….Amen

I will send

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PRAY

Lord God, May we see your relationship to the world and your relationship to us. May we understand how you have equipped us, and help us to know you more completely through the gift of your Spirit, may we grow in your truth and love today.

WRITE

READ John 15:18-26

“‘And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.'” John 15:27

  • Again in this passage Jesus discussed the connection between Himself and the Father and the world. What is the distinction that he draws between those who know Christ and those who do not know Him (the world)?
  • What are the implications of this on His followers?
  • But…Jesus gives home. Who is He sending?
  • What will the Spirit do?
  • How will the Spirit enable believers?

GROW

  • It is pretty amazing to think that when we believe in Jesus, we have the Spirit of the living God dwelling in us! Knowing this, does this passage help you to see your relationship to the world any differently?
  • What does it mean to you that you have the opportunity to bear witness to Christ through the power of the Spirit within you?

 Lord equip us with your Spirit today. Help us to live according to your truth, enable us to bear witness about you. In a world that so readily rejects you, may we shine the light of Christ, especially during this Christmas Season. In Jesus name – amen…. 

THE Way

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PRAY

Lord God, help us to see you in your word today. Speak into our hearts your comfort and love. May the picture of the relationship between the Father & Son and your relationship to us become more clear.  May your word fulfill its purpose today.

WRITE

READ John 14:1-6

“‘My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.'” John 14:2-3 NIV

  • Jesus begins this passage by comforting His disciples. What are the commands he gives them in verse 1?
  • He then reiterates that He is leaving. But what comforting picture does He give to His disciples?
  • He then reminds them that He will be returning, and for what purpose?
  • Though Jesus affirms that they will know the way, Thomas questions that they actually know the way. What is Jesus’s response?
  • As He seeks to comfort and encourage His disciples, Jesus gives a specific directive about the path to His Father’s House – what is it?

GROW

  • Though only 6 verses, we learn a lot about Jesus, His relationship to us and His relationship to the Father. If you know Him as your Lord and Savior – He is preparing a place for you. Alleluia! What comfort and direction did this passage bring to you?

 Lord help us to take comfort in knowing that you have gone ahead to prepare a place for us and that you will return again to bring us home. Help us have confidence in the truth of your word and the life that you offer. May we know your Father as we grow to know you. In Jesus name – amen…. 

“I am the good shepherd”

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.com1 Comment

PRAY

Lord help us to see your love for us as we see this picture of you as our good Shepherd. 

READ

READ John 10:11-18

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” John 10:14

  • Make a list of how Jesus describes himself as shepherd.
  • How does this contrast with the hired hand?
  • What is the result of Jesus’s shepherding (v. 16)?
  • Jesus says repeatedly in this short passage that He will lay down His life for His sheep. Count how many times he says it.
  • After He lays down His life what does He do?  
  • Verse 18 brings a profound statement and a little revelation into the relationship between the Father and the Son. What does Jesus say?
  • Jesus says, I have been given the “charge” to lay down my life,  I have been given authority to do this and I do this because I choose to do it. Jesus loves you so much that He chose to lay down His life for you… His sheep. You are His. You are part of His flock. He cares for you as He cares for all of His sheep, with love, completely and sacrificially. What is your response?

GROW

  • “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20

“I am the door”

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PRAY

Lord God, you have made clear in your word that you have offered us salvation by one name only. May we understand more clearly today the truth of the Messiah – the one deliverer.

READ

READ John 10:7-11

“‘I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.'” John 10:9

In the first part of Chapter 10 of the book of John, Jesus talks about himself and his sheep. We are going to break this down into a couple of different sections over today & tomorrow to look at what He reveals about himself.

  • Did Jesus say I am “a” door? No! He says He is _____door. What does that reveal about the way to the kingdom of God?
  • What happens when we choose to enter through Jesus (verse 9)?
  • What does Jesus say about the many false teachers who have tried to like like the savior? What do they offer?
  • In contrast, what kind of life does Jesus offer?

GROW

  • It is a common belief in this time of moral relativism and “spirituality” that we can earn our way to heaven or that there are many paths. But Jesus is very specific here about the way to salvation and abundant life. Take time today to focus on Christ and what He offers you.

Thank you Jesus that you have made a way for us. Thank you Jesus that you offer us salvation, freedom and provision – a truly abundant life. Lord may we  be as David in Psalm 18 and declare “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” 

Servant

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.com1 Comment


PRAY

Lord God, help us to understand what it really means that you call yourself servant. Help us see you today in a new and fresh way. Lord, help us rest in you…

WRITE

READ Mark 10:35-45

“‘For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” Mark 10:45

We looked at this passage in a different Gospel last week. This was the sermon at our church this Sunday, I encourage you to watch it. It gave me a fresh perspective on what it means when Jesus calls himself servant.

GROW

Jesus wants to be your servant. Go to Him in prayer and ask him where He can serve you.

Lord, so often we feel we are self sufficient. That we are called to serve you… which we are. But, we are reminded in this passage that you have come to be our servant. Help us to trust in you, to rest in you, and allow you to love us the way you have told us you will. In Jesus name…Amen


I AM

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PRAY

Father God, help us to understand the truth of who you are. Help us to understand the picture of you that you give us through the life of your Son – Jesus. Help us to understand His role in the beginning, His role here on earth and His role at your right hand in heaven. Lord may we come to love you more through what we study today.

READ

Again this passage holds such depth. It is one that we can only pray that we will come to understand. We are only brushing the surface of the breadth of what Jesus is sharing here.

READ  John 8:48-59

“Jesus answered, ‘I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.’”  John 8:49-51

  • Go through this passage and write down all of the statements that Jesus makes about Himself and His Father.
  • Of what do the Jews in this passage accuse Jesus?
  • What is Jesus’s response?
  • What promise does Jesus make in verse 51?
  • What profound statement is  Jesus making  verse 58 (see also Exodus 3:14)?
  • Read Colossians 1:15-20 to get a deeper picture of what this statement means- make a list of all of the characteristics of Christ.

GROW

  • What does it mean to you that Jesus is the image of the invisible God? 

Lord God you are amazing. You gave us a picture of who you are by sending Jesus, and an indescribable gift by reconciling all things through Him. Lord let us live in the truth that when we believe in you and trust your word that we will never see death. Alleluia! In Jesus name… Amen

He is light

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PRAY

Father God, help us to see Jesus as the Light of the World. Lord help us to see His words, accept His truth and know Him more intimately through our study today. Father, may we understand more deeply His relationship to you. May we understand more fully what He has done for us. 

WRITE

READ John 8:12-38

“So Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.’ 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.”                   John 8:28-29

This passage offers so many details about who Jesus is,  His relationship to the Father and His relationship to us. We will only scratch the surface today of the depth of His message.

  • Write down all the statements Jesus makes about Himself and His relationship to His Father.
  • In this passage, Jesus had been teaching the people. To make a point, the Pharisees had attempted to trap Him with a moral dilemma (you can read more about this in 8:1-11). So, Jesus is addressing them specifically, but all people generally.
  • Write down what Jesus says to them.
  • Look at verse 30, what is the result of Jesus speaking the truth about who He is?
  • As Jesus adresses these believers, what is it that He says is an indication of being His disciple?
  • What does Jesus reveal about those who practice sin?
  • What does He reveal about the freedom He makes available?

GROW

  • In Paul’s first letter to Timothy he states, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). He is the light… but more than that He is the one who sets us free. What does it mean to you that you have been set free? 

Lord thank you that you have come into this world to seek and save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). May we abide in Your word, may we know the truth and may it set us free. Help us to live each day  in the light of that truth. 

Bread of Life

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.com1 Comment

PRAY

Father God, help us to see Jesus as the one who does your will. The one who offers us a life transforming gift when we choose to look on Him and believe.

WRITE

READ John 6:35-40

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.’” John 6:35-40

  • What does Jesus claim to be and what does that satisfy?
  • What does verse 38 tell us about Jesus?
  • Using verses 39 & 40 write down what God’s will for His Son is.
  • When we choose to look on the Son and believe we are given eternal life – Alleluia! Looking at verses 37 and 40 what does Jesus tell us about that promise?

GROW

  • Jesus came to the will of the Father – to save those who look to Him in faith and trust Him for their salvation. Have you put your full faith and trust in Christ and His saving work on the cross?

Lord God you sent your Son to do your will. You sent your Son to be the propitiation for our sins. You have ordained that He would raise up His followers on the last day! Lord, help us to live according to this truth. Lord help us to have “the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18-19).