Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 44:4-8 You are my King, my God who ordains victories for Jacob.
5 Through you we drive back our foes; through your name we trample our enemies.
6 For I do not trust in my bow, and my sword does not bring me victory.
7 But you give us victory over our foes and let those who hate us be disgraced.
8 We boast in God all day long; we will praise your name forever.
Read the Entire Psalm
This Psalm is looking back to God bringing victory to the nation of Israel. The emphasis here is trusting in God. The bow and the sword are used in battle but victory rests with the Lord.
Take special note of the individual responsibility in these verses, but notice how the blessing is corporate and communal in nature. “I do not trust my bow… you give us victory”
Read this Psalm again emphasizing the personal pronoun You and Your referring to God.
Read this Psalm again, this time emphasizing the pronouns I, my, us, our, and we.
Praise God for the victory He has won in your life and in the lives of others.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Psalm 67 – The Message
67 1-7 God, mark us with grace
and blessing! Smile!
The whole country will see how you work,
all the godless nations see how you save.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you.
Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Let all far-flung people become happy
and shout their happiness because
You judge them fair and square,
you tend the far-flung peoples.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you.
Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Earth, display your exuberance!
You mark us with blessing, O God, our God.
You mark us with blessing, O God.
Earth’s four corners—honor him!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – The Message
9-10 It’s better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there’s no one to help, tough!
11 Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.
12 By yourself you’re unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.
* * *
Matthew 28:16-20 – The Message
16-17 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.
18-20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanksgiving to God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for those facing the possibility of being alone this Christmas. Maybe they are destitute or estranged from family. Pray that they would know that they the are seen and loved by God.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
All of our mission partners work to meet different needs. Youth Horizons focuses on single parent families and children at risk. Core 520 serves refugees meeting their physical needs and pointing them to Christ. Embrace works with women who are pregnant and considering abortion. FCA reaches out to student athletes. CAYM starts mentoring programs and Hope’s Gate cares for women working in adult entertainment. There are so many diverse physical and relational needs in the world. One need that can seem hidden is the need to be restored to right relationship with God. All of our mission partners work to make the truth of who Jesus is known so that people’s deepest needs can be met. Each person was created for God. Knowing him and having relationship with him is the deepest need for all humanity. Pray for those who do not even know they are separated from God. Pray that they would go to God and receive the free gift of salvation.