Isaiah 11:1-16(Good News Translation)
Thursday
December 3, 2009

Called to be Free to Spread Tidings of Joy

Introduction
Isaiah 11:1-16: Today’s passage is a prophecy of hope for the Israelites who have been oppressed by the Assyrians. Isaiah describes a future king who will come from the line of David. He will be wise, just and powerful, living in obedience to the LORD. He will bring such peace that even dangerous animals will no longer be threats. By his rule, all people will come to know and love God.
Today's Scripture: Isaiah 11:9
On Zion, God’s sacred hill, there will be nothing harmful or evil. The land will be as full of knowledge of the LORD as the seas are full of water.
How is this Scripture passage speaking to me today?
Today's Reading
1The royal line of David is like a tree that has been cut down; but just as new branches sprout from a stump, so a new king will arise from among David's descendants.2The spirit of the LORD will give him wisdom and the knowledge and skill to rule his people.
He will know the LORD's will and honor him,
3and find pleasure in obeying him.
He will not judge by appearance or hearsay;
4he will judge the poor fairly and defend the rights of the helpless.
At his command the people will be punished,
and evil persons will die.5He will rule his people with justice and integrity.6Wolves and sheep will live together in peace, and leopards will lie down with young goats.
Calves and lion cubs will feed together,
and little children will take care of them.7Cows and bears will eat together, and their calves and cubs will lie down in peace.
Lions will eat straw as cattle do.
8Even a baby will not be harmed if it plays near a poisonous snake.9On Zion, God's sacred hill, there will be nothing harmful or evil.
The land will be as full of knowledge of the LORD
as the seas are full of water.10A day is coming when the new king from the royal line of David will be a symbol to the nations. They will gather in his royal city and give him honor.11When that day comes, the Lord will once again use his power and bring back home those of his people who are left in Assyria and Egypt, in the lands of Pathros, Ethiopia, Elam, Babylonia, and Hamath, and in the coastlands and on the islands of the sea.12The Lord will raise a signal flag to show the nations that he is gathering together again the scattered people of Israel and Judah and bringing them back from the four corners of the earth.13The kingdom of Israel will not be jealous of Judah any more, and Judah will not be the enemy of Israel.14Together they will attack the Philistines on the west and plunder the people who live to the east. They will conquer the people of Edom and Moab, and the people of Ammon will obey them.15The LORD will dry up the Gulf of Suez, and he will bring a hot wind to dry up the Euphrates, leaving only seven tiny streams, so that anyone can walk across.16There will be a highway out of Assyria for those of his people Israel who have survived there, just as there was for their ancestors when they left Egypt.
Reflect
The image of the stump may mean that David’s royal dynasty has been threatened and reduced in power. Or it may refer to a future time when the line of Judah’s kings descended from David would be removed from the throne. However, it is clear that this future king will rule as God rules—with justice, mercy, compassion and peace. What does this passage mean to you?
Pray
Lord God, you have promised your people a future filled with justice, mercy, compassion and peace. Help me follow the way of Christ in bringing these things into our world. In your holy name I pray, Amen.
Prayer Concern
Hungry children

PKRAUSE


this is really good and has a lot of meaning

dgrimm60

Isaiah 25:1-12(Good News Translation)
Friday
December 4, 2009

Called to be Free to Spread Tidings of Joy

Introduction

Isaiah 25:1-12: Today’s passage is a prayer of thanks to God. It describes promises fulfilled, including the elimination of threats from enemies and shelter for those in need. It then offers a vision of God bringing new life as the LORD destroys the power of death, and promises that the people will celebrate in the presence and protection of God.
Today's Scripture: Isaiah 25:1a

LORD, you are my God; I will honor you and praise your name. You have done amazing things.

How is this Scripture passage speaking to me today?
Today's Reading
1LORD, you are my God; I will honor you and praise your name. You have done amazing things; you have faithfully carried out the plans you made long ago.2You have turned cities into ruins and destroyed their fortifications. The palaces which our enemies built are gone forever.3The people of powerful nations will praise you; you will be feared in the cities of cruel nations.4The poor and the helpless have fled to you and have been safe in times of trouble. You give them shelter from storms and shade from the burning heat. Cruel enemies attack like a winter storm,5like drought in a dry land. But you, LORD, have silenced our enemies; you silence the shouts of cruel people, as a cloud cools a hot day.6Here on Mount Zion the LORD Almighty will prepare a banquet for all the nations of the world—a banquet of the richest food and the finest wine.7Here he will suddenly remove the cloud of sorrow that has been hanging over all the nations.8The Sovereign LORD will destroy death forever! He will wipe away the tears from everyone's eyes and take away the disgrace his people have suffered throughout the world. The LORD himself has spoken.9When it happens, everyone will say, He is our God! We have put our trust in him, and he has rescued us. He is the LORD! We have put our trust in him, and now we are happy and joyful because he has saved us.10The LORD will protect Mount Zion, but the people of Moab will be trampled down the way straw is trampled in manure.11They will reach out their hands as if they were trying to swim, but God will humiliate them, and their hands will sink helplessly.12He will destroy the fortresses of Moab with their high walls and bring them tumbling down into the dust.

Reflect
Reread 25:7-8. The “cloud of sorrow” or “burial clothes” (as stated in the Contemporary English Version) may refer to clothes worn by those who are in mourning, or to the strips of linen cloth used to wrap a dead body. If the people are in burial clothes, it is because Israel has been defeated by other nations. The image of God unraveling burial clothes also suggests bringing someone back to life from death. What images in this text are most powerful to you? Why?

Pray
Lord, you are my God, and I praise you for doing the wonderful things you planned and promised. You are a place of safety for all who are in need. Thank you for saving me. Amen.

Prayer Concern
Those who are grieving the loss of a loved one

PKRAUSE

this is a good promise that we should remember


dgrimm60

Excellent pk. God has a work for each of us. He will provide the strength we need. It amazes me how with Him ... we can accomplish far more than we would ever have thought. HE's a good partner.

Malachi 3:1-4(Good News Translation)
Sunday
December 6, 2009

Called to be Free to Spread Tidings of Joy

Introduction

Malachi 3:1-4: Malachi was written around 470-440 BC after the rebuilding of the temple and while Judah was under Persian control. The people kept forgetting that God loved them, so God's rules and rituals seemed to be hard and demanding. Malachi prophesied in order to remind people of God's love and to call people back to joyful obedience to God. In today's passage, Malachi speaks to the people's concern that God doesn't care about them by saying that God will send a special messenger to destroy evil.
Today's Scripture: Malachi 3:1a

The LORD Almighty answers, "I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me."

How is this Scripture passage speaking to me today?
Today's Reading
1The LORD Almighty answers, I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Then the Lord you are looking for will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger you long to see will come and proclaim my covenant.2But who will be able to endure the day when he comes? Who will be able to survive when he appears? He will be like strong soap, like a fire that refines metal.3He will come to judge like one who refines and purifies silver. As a metalworker refines silver and gold, so the LORD's messenger will purify the priests, so that they will bring to the LORD the right kind of offerings.4Then the offerings which the people of Judah and Jerusalem bring to the LORD will be pleasing to him, as they used to be in the past.
Reflect

For Malachi, the "messenger" is a person who would prepare the people for the LORD's coming or return. He would prepare them by making sure that the priests and the people brought proper gifts and sacrifices to the temple and that they got rid of any foreign idols. Many years later, the early Christians described John the Baptist as this "messenger" (Matthew 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 1:76; 7:27). What can you do to prepare once again for the birth of Christ in this Advent season?
Pray

Lord God, amid the holiday hustle and bustle, too often we forget the true purpose of our Christmas celebrations. Prepare my heart and mind for the birth of Christ, that my Christmas celebration may be a true expression of faith. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Those struggling to focus on Christ

pk

PKRAUSE

YES sometimes we can get wrapped up in the do's
and don't s but we must remember that there is
the spiritual side

dgrimm60

Malachi 4:1-6(Good News Translation)
Monday
December 7, 2009

Called to be Free to Spread Tidings of Joy

Introduction
Malachi 4:1-6: Today's passage predicts a day of judgment. Malachi says that there will be a time when the Lord will use fire to punish evil people. But those who honor the name of God will experience great victory and freedom. God will empower the faithful to bring justice to the land. Malachi reminds the people to remember the laws and commandments, and says that God promises to send the prophet Elijah to lead people in love.
Today's Scripture: Malachi 4:1a, 2a
The LORD Almighty says, ... "But for you who obey me, my saving power will rise on you like the sun and bring healing like the sun's rays."
How is this Scripture passage speaking to me today?
Today's Reading
1The LORD Almighty says, The day is coming when all proud and evil people will burn like straw. On that day they will burn up, and there will be nothing left of them.2But for you who obey me, my saving power will rise on you like the sun and bring healing like the sun's rays. You will be as free and happy as calves let out of a stall.3On the day when I act, you will overcome the wicked, and they will be like dust under your feet.4Remember the teachings of my servant Moses, the laws and commands which I gave him at Mount Sinai for all the people of Israel to obey.5But before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes, I will send you the prophet Elijah.6He will bring fathers and children together again; otherwise I would have to come and destroy your country.
Reflect
Fire has several meanings in the Bible. It is a sign of God's presence, for example, when God spoke to Moses through the burning bush (Exodus 3:2). It was important in the worship of God in Israel's temple, both burning on the altar as a sign of God's presence and in the making of offerings (Leviticus 6:12-15). Also, it was a symbol of God's anger (Psalms 79:5; 89:46). Finally, God used it to purify or test the people (Psalm 66:12; Isaiah 43:2). What does fire mean in the context of this passage?
Pray
Lord, there are times when I feel as though I am experiencing "trial by fire"-as though I am being tested in faith. Remind me that the flame of your love burns continuously in my heart, that my faith and obedience may be sparked anew. Amen.
Prayer Concern
Those in need of warm shelter

pk

PKRAUSE

YES fire has many meanings.....but by burning
the wick is that not a form of purifying the earth???

dgrimm60

Luke 3:1-20(Good News Translation)
Tuesday
December 8, 2009

Called to be Free to Spread Tidings of Joy

Introduction

Luke 3:1-20: John preaches in the desert, preparing people for the coming of God's chosen one, Jesus. When people come to be baptized, he challenges them to repent of their sins and to share with those in need. He also instructs tax collectors and soldiers to treat people justly. He then tells how Jesus will come and baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Today's Scripture: Luke 3:6

'The whole human race will see God's salvation!'

How is this Scripture passage speaking to me today?
Today's Reading
1It was the fifteenth year of the rule of Emperor Tiberius; Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip was ruler of the territory of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias was ruler of Abilene,2and Annas and Caiaphas were High Priests. At that time the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.3So John went throughout the whole territory of the Jordan River, preaching, Turn away from your sins and be baptized, and God will forgive your sins.4As it is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: Someone is shouting in the desert: Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!5Every valley must be filled up, every hill and mountain leveled off. The winding roads must be made straight, and the rough paths made smooth.6The whole human race will see God's salvation!7Crowds of people came out to John to be baptized by him. You snakes! he said to them. Who told you that you could escape from the punishment God is about to send?8Do those things that will show that you have turned from your sins. And don't start saying among yourselves that Abraham is your ancestor. I tell you that God can take these rocks and make descendants for Abraham!9The ax is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.10The people asked him, What are we to do, then?11He answered, Whoever has two shirts must give one to the man who has none, and whoever has food must share it.12Some tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, Teacher, what are we to do?13Don't collect more than is legal, he told them.14Some soldiers also asked him, What about us? What are we to do? He said to them, Don't take money from anyone by force or accuse anyone falsely. Be content with your pay.15People's hopes began to rise, and they began to wonder whether John perhaps might be the Messiah.16So John said to all of them, I baptize you with water, but someone is coming who is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.17He has his winnowing shovel with him, to thresh out all the grain and gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out.18In many different ways John preached the Good News to the people and urged them to change their ways.19But John reprimanded Governor Herod, because he had married Herodias, his brother's wife, and had done many other evil things.20Then Herod did an even worse thing by putting John in prison.
Reflect

John offers a vision of the Lord, through whom paths will be straightened and mountains and valleys will be leveled. This "leveling" stands for equality and justice, marking the promise that all will have access to God's grace, mercy, and justice. What does John's message have for people today?
Pray

Holy God, in this Advent season, help me prepare the way of the Lord, that all will see the saving power of God. Make your grace known to all people, and help us experience your love anew. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Those in need of the knowledge of God's grace
See God's Word at work in lives today

pk