Wednesday, November 30, 2011

God Within - 1 December


Reflection
We are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God, by our receiving his real stamp upon our souls; being made the partakers of the divine nature. This is, indeed, the design of his dwelling in us, to heal our disordered souls, and to restore that image of his upon our nature.” – John Wesley

We believe that God is already alive and active within us. Do we dare believe this? Are we really able to have the mind and heart of Zachariah, Elizabeth and Mary to hope that what God has begun in us will be fulfilled according to God’s plan for us? When was God last active in us? Do we sometimes spend so much time talking about God we forget to talk to God? The Scriptures tell us that the whole purpose of prayer and community is to support, celebrate and affirm what God is already doing within each one of us and in the whole community. God is within you. The flame of God’s life is in us, is alive in us already!

Prayer

Jesus, protector, I long for your coming.
The promise of new light and life is before me, give me the faith to believe in your presence this day.
Protect me from dangers and lead me through the darkness to the joy I so long to find in you.
Lift me from my sins and give me the promise and assurance of salvation with no more shame, only the light and saving grace of your love. May your peace come to my life and may it be evident in my relationships and daily living. Amen

Readings
Psalm 145, John 17, Hebrews 2: 5-15

Hymn/Song
Come thou Long Expected Jesus

An Unexpected Encounter - 30 November


Reflection

What comes to mind when you think of the word “faithful”? Do you think of commitment, loyalty, devotion, sticking with something even when it seems impossible or when it doesn’t make sense?

In Isaiah 1 we have God telling Israel that he has had enough of burnt offerings and sacrifices. The rituals they practiced had become an empty burden. What God wanted from them was faithfulness, to reach out to the oppressed, defend orphans and care for the widows. God asks them to look beyond themselves and see a hurting world that needed help and care.

As we think of those in our families, churches, community and world that need a reminder that God is present how can we show that? What can we do? Praying for a world in need brings us closer to our God. Acting this prayer out can bring others closer to God too. Just imagine you too can be the unexpected encounter others have with our living God. May God bless you in your rich encounters.

Prayer
Lord God I praise you for creating me and restoring me through
Jesus.
Word becoming flesh, Word indwelling
Word transforming, Word restoring
Word challenging, Word healing
Word sharing our weakness and making us whole. Amen

Readings

Isaiah 1:10-20, Matthew 8:1-4, 1 John 4:7-12 

Hymn/Song
O the bitter shame and sorrow

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Behold a Virgin Shall Conceive - 29 November


Reflection
Isaiah 7:14 “ The Lord of his own accord will give you a sign; it is this: A young woman is with child, and she will give birth to a son and call him Immanuel” (Revised English Bible).

It seems so strange to think about the last supper during Advent. Don’t we have our seasons wrong? But as we pause, waiting to celebrate God made flesh, we have glimpses and reminders of his flesh and blood. We see God present in Christ’s first meal as well as his last. In those early days, Christ’s body was made vulnerable and small, totally dependent on his parents for everything. We are reminded of the depth of his love for us. Who among us would take the place of a child?

We see Christ reflected in the youngest baby gathered in worship. We see Christ reflected in an expectant mother. This is his Body, given for us. We are expectant parents in these days of Advent, men and women watching for signs of Christ born among us . Jesus came as a swaddled infant, then as a toddler scattering crumbs of bread, eventually as the honoured host. His grace has permeated our lives from beginning to end. We learn from Him the customs of His Table.

Prayer
Risen Lord, be known to me in the breaking of the bread.” Bless my table, Lord, to be a place of holy fellowship. Make me aware, this season, of how you are present among us. Amen

Readings
Isaiah 7:13-15, Luke 2:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Hymn/Song:
Born in the Night

Monday, November 28, 2011

God so Loved the World - 28 November


Reflection
Where did we get the idea of gift giving at Christmas? Of course there are the three gifts of the Magi and that is great in showing the elect paying homage. But John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son” is the true message of Christmas. This is the Christmas Story. John doesn’t reveal the how of the birth of Jesus. The New English Bible translation puts it “for this is the way God loved the world. He gave everything.”

The definition of love is action. God is giving and God’s action of giving is love. The real story of Christmas is not our gift giving but of God’s giving. It takes an intervention of God in human history to fix the world. This is no pretty picture—there is something wrong in the world - wrong that we cannot fix, nor science, nor philosophy, nor education ..it is God acting in love. Oh what a gift.

Prayer

Lord, give us hearts that never forget your love; to remain in your love whatever we do, whether we are asleep or awake, whether we work or rest. For your love is eternal life and everlasting rest; for this is life eternal - to know you and your infinite goodness.

May the flame of your eternal love never be quenched in our hearts; let it grow and brighten, till our whole souls are glowing and shining with its light and warmth. Amen

Readings

Psalm 130, Malachi 3:1-4, John 3: 16-21; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Song/Hymn
God is Love

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Being Awake or Woken Up - 27 November



Reflection

If we think of Advent as being a time of preparedness and of being attentive then this First Sunday of Advent calls us to be awake. Being caught napping at a critical point can at times be embarrassing. To be caught out in this way can result in us missing out on so much.

May we be ever vigilant to God’s Spirit moving in this world. Underpinning this vigilance is the hope that God will deliver on promises, in God’s time and in God’s way. On our side, may there be a deep yearning in us for the coming of the Lord, and God’s bringing to completion what was achieved in His death and resurrection. Is this desire for the Lord to come again strong in our hearts? Or are we quite happy to settle for the ‘same again, please’ of a more worldly celebration of Christmas, focussing on the elements that we enjoy but which are quite empty if they are taken away from their Christian origins and the hope for the future? May we be awake to God’s presence.

Prayer

Thank you Creator God.  
What a gift this day is from you from the blazing sunrise through a cloudy winter sky to the setting sunset.  
Lord in this day, may you gift me with a sight that I often miss at other times of year, when the weather is warmer and the sun rises before I get up.  In this day may I be aware of your grace lighting up my life. As I wait and watch in silence for your coming may I be filled with a sense of your presence in my life. Amen

Readings
Isaiah 2:1-5, Matthew 24:37-44 and Romans 13:11-14

Song or Hymn:
O come O Come Emmanuel