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 148:1-4
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.
Read the entire Psalm
Praise the Lord. It is a command and not a suggestion for us. He is worthy of praise. Everything – heavens, seas, stars, angels, everything was made for Him. You were created for Him. Praising Him reminds us that He is supreme. Take a moment and praise Him for all that He has made.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Luke 2:1-20 – The Message
The Birth of Jesus
2 1-5 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
6-7 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
An Event for Everyone
8-12 There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.
19-20 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!
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 today for two of our ministry partners. Pray for Hopes Gate as they reach out to women working in adult entertainment. Pray that these women would know they they are loved. Pray for FCA. Ask God to use FCA to introduce athletes to Christ and to help them grow in the walk.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
A Savior is born, he is the Messiah. Messiah is a title. It means the anointed one. In the Old Testament, places, structures, and people are anointed. These anointed things and people represented the place where God met with his people. One night Jacob had a dream and in the dream he saw a ladder ascending to heaven. Angels were ascending and descending from heaven. The next day he anointed the rock where he slept. After the building of the tabernacle, the tabernacle was anointed to designate the place where God’s glory was manifest among the people. The priests of the tabernacle were anointed as God’s appointed representatives to the people. Each of these anointings pointed towards the final anointed one who would come and dwell among people on Earth. Jesus is the anointed one. He claims to be the anointed one. He proved to be the anointed one by his miracles and finally through his resurrection. As the anointed one, Jesus is the hope of Israel. He is also the hope for the world. Our everlasting hope originates with him and is sustained by him. Do you look to someone besides Jesus or something to be the source of your hope? Maybe your hope from day to day rests in a human relationship or a career accomplishment. Or maybe it comes from a temporary pleasure or even the longing for an easy life. Ask God if there is someone or something in your life that acts as your source of hope. Confess Jesus as your everlasting hope.