ADORATION – Reflect on God’s Greatness
GOD DOESN’T NEED CREATION FOR ANY REASON No one can give God anything that he didn’t first give them. God did not create out of need.
Acts 17:24–25 – “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything.”
Job 41:11 – God asks Job, “Who has given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine”.
Praise God that He Does Not Need
Praise Him that He created you and He wants you. Praise Him that He will never be weak or tired. Praise Him that he is self-sufficient. Praise Him that He is the source of joy and goodness.
CONFESSION: Confess your sins to God and receive his continued mercy.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks to God for his specific blessings in our lives.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100
SUPPLICATION: Bringing our requests to God.
- Bring your personal prayer requests to God.
- Ask that Uyghur people would hear, understand, and choose to believe in the name of Jesus – the only name that can save them. Acts 4:11-12
SCRIPTURE READING:
Luke 1:1-4 – Christian Standard Bible
The Dedication to Theophilus
1 Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. 3 So it also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.
Luke 6:47-49 – Christian Standard Bible
47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great.”
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
Today we are going to do some more practice reading Scripture as real news. So sit up straight and get your mind ready. Read this passage out loud. Put yourself into your role. You are in the first century, and someone has placed a copy of Luke’s gospel in your hands. You have heard of Jesus, everyone has, but you don’t know all the details. Now, consider what it would be like to read this for the very first time. Consider this as well: there are people around the world today who are reading this, maybe in their own language, for the very first time. Some are coming to Christ as they hear and respond to the gospel today. Read it again with fresh eyes and a fresh heart. Ask God to give you the chance to tell others the story of Jesus this Christmas season. Ask God to make the gospel known across the world. Pray for someone who might be hearing or reading this for the first time.
Luke 2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”