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 116:12-14 How can I repay the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
13 I will take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
Read the entire Psalm
Can you repay the Lord for all He has done? No. Take a moment now and begin to thank Him and praise Him for all the good He has done.
Scripture Reading
Luke 2:1-20 – English Standard Version
2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Give thanks to God for His gifts and His goodness.
- 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 today for Youth Horizons. Ask God to use their mentors to make the truth of the gospel known to the children in the mentoring program. Pray for CAYM as they establish and strengthen mentoring programs.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
The gospel is a word that means good news. The gospel is also personal news. As I reflect on the reality of the gospel, the factual reality that Jesus came as a baby, lived, suffered and rose again, I can lose sight of the personal reality. These facts have personal implications for me, for you, and for each individual person who has ever lived. How can you think about the factual news of the gospel in such a way that it becomes more than just information, but good news that is personal for you? If you have trusted Christ, take a moment and think about what God has saved you from. Trusting the truth of the gospel is more than just trusting in the factual reality but trusting in a person who has come to save you. Do you think about the gospel as just data points and facts? Do you think about the gospel as good news that Jesus has come to save you? If you have trusted in him, he has saved you. Rejoice that the one fully divine person, Jesus, personally rescued you.