Advent Devotional 2021
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“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word.” Luke 8:11 (NLT)
Chapter 8 points to the “good news of the kingdom of God.” However, this chapter can be divided into 2 sections: 1-21 and 22-56. As you read this chapter watch how Jesus moves from place to place using stories to help people embrace an understanding around God’s work.
Luke 8:1-21 has a clear theme of hearing and doing God’s work. We read of those who followed Jesus as women and men and how they grew more passionate about Jesus’ message for all people. As you read the parable of the sower, reflect not only on your life of hearing God’s word and doing God’s work but how you can invite others, as Jesus did, into God’s word and work. Even Jesus’ mother and brothers had to learn what it meant to be part of the family of God as “those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
Luke 8:22-56 reveals Jesus’ power over nature, demons, and death. Life is filled with storms, and I notice how desperate people are to avoid storms in life rather than embrace them and see how God can use us to help in the storm. God works his power through the storms of life. God does not abandon even in the face of great evil. As sickness and death have covered the world I desire as much as any believer for healing. There is great grief in our losses and God is a comforter. God is healer and comforter of a broken and hurting world. Grief will challenge your faith, but it is meant to grow us.
Chapter 8 reminds us of the importance of holding tight to God’s word and doing God’s work in the middle of broken lives.
- Tim Gravatt
Luke 8:1-21 has a clear theme of hearing and doing God’s work. We read of those who followed Jesus as women and men and how they grew more passionate about Jesus’ message for all people. As you read the parable of the sower, reflect not only on your life of hearing God’s word and doing God’s work but how you can invite others, as Jesus did, into God’s word and work. Even Jesus’ mother and brothers had to learn what it meant to be part of the family of God as “those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
Luke 8:22-56 reveals Jesus’ power over nature, demons, and death. Life is filled with storms, and I notice how desperate people are to avoid storms in life rather than embrace them and see how God can use us to help in the storm. God works his power through the storms of life. God does not abandon even in the face of great evil. As sickness and death have covered the world I desire as much as any believer for healing. There is great grief in our losses and God is a comforter. God is healer and comforter of a broken and hurting world. Grief will challenge your faith, but it is meant to grow us.
Chapter 8 reminds us of the importance of holding tight to God’s word and doing God’s work in the middle of broken lives.
- Tim Gravatt
Prayer focus: Guidance in where to serve others today
Community prayer focus: Food Bank programs in Modesto
Community prayer focus: Food Bank programs in Modesto
Favorite Christmas Tradition
One of my favorite traditions is the candlelight portion at the end of our Christmas Eve Service. Hearing Silent Night and watching the darkness become light again as the candles are lit is such a special way to set my spirit right and lead me into the celebration of our Savior meeting us here on Earth. I never want the song to end and I always prolong blowing out my candle. Seeing our Sanctuary lit by candlelight and our church family rejoicing together is always my favorite moment on Christmas Eve.
Heather D.
One of my favorite traditions is the candlelight portion at the end of our Christmas Eve Service. Hearing Silent Night and watching the darkness become light again as the candles are lit is such a special way to set my spirit right and lead me into the celebration of our Savior meeting us here on Earth. I never want the song to end and I always prolong blowing out my candle. Seeing our Sanctuary lit by candlelight and our church family rejoicing together is always my favorite moment on Christmas Eve.
Heather D.