Daily Dose For December 5

Memory Verse; He (Jesus) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 

Isaiah 4:2-5:30, Proverbs 2:1-22

“…I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning …” - Luke 1:3

Luke, a doctor, was familiar with investigating facts. His account, and many others, reveal that Jesus’ life not only fulfilled over 300 Biblical prophesies, but is historical fact. 

“Life in a prison cell may well be compared to Advent; one waits, hopes, and does this, that, or the other- things that are of no real consequence- the door is shut, and can be opened only from the outside.", Letters from Prison - November 21, 1943” ― Dietrech Bonhoeffer

Father,

The Bible is not just a bunch of stories. It is the truth. Help us to embrace the historical significance of Scripture, and strengthen our trust in you to explain the parts we don’t understand, in your perfect timing. Advent should create in us a hope rooted in Jesus Christ, as we discover who he is in the Bible. As we connect the Old and New Testaments of Scripture, knowing we can trust your Word as absolute truth, let Jesus come alive in us like never before.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (https://www.ibelieve.com/holidays/family-prayers-to-pray-each-day-of-advent.html)

Daily Dose For December 4

Memory Verse; He (Jesus) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 

Isaiah 2:6-4:1, Proverbs 1:8-33 

Predicted hundreds of years earlier in Isaiah, John the Baptist witnessed the Spirit descending on Jesus at His baptism. Today, we have that same Spirit in us, helping us take hold of the mighty faith we proclaim.

“Openness to God demands our growing acceptance that we cannot create blueprints for our own lives. Though God’s character is unchanging, the ways of God are unpredictable, and there is a difference between arbitrariness and unpredictability.” 

― Enuma Okoro, Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent

Father, 

Advent is a time to prepare our hearts for Christmas. Let the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and of might, knowledge and fear of the Lord, be with us and direct us during this special season of celebration for the gift that Jesus is. Help us to understand and obey you by listening and paying attention to the Holy Spirit’s presence in us as believers and followers of Jesus Christ.   In Jesus’ Name, Amen.  (https://www.ibelieve.com/holidays/family-prayers-to-pray-each-day-of-advent.html)

Daily Dose For December 3

Memory Verse; He (Jesus) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 

Isaiah 1-2:5, Psalms 150

“In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.” - Isaiah 11:1

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star." - Revelation 22:16

Only a small remnant of God’s people remained during Isaiah’s time, but out of a seemingly impossible situation would come the Savior of the world.  

“It is now, at Advent, that I am given the chance to suspend all expectation...and instead to revel in the mystery.” 

― Jerusalem Jackson Greer, A Homemade Year: The Blessings of Cooking, Crafting, and Coming Together

Father, 

Thank you for our Root of Jesse, our bright Morning Star. Thank you that out of the smallest remnant you brought your son, and that he has ushered the way for all tribes, tongues and nations to know you and rejoice with you one day in Eternity. As we look to the past to see how you have fulfilled your promises to us, let us look to the future with hope and certainty that we will one day be in the presence of the Root of Jesse.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

(https://www.ibelieve.com/holidays/family-prayers-to-pray-each-day-of-advent.html)

Daily Dose For December 2

Memory Verse; He (Jesus) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 

Catch up day Proverbs 1:1-7

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6

Ancient names and titles have rich and deep meanings. These four names given to the Messiah - Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace - specifically describe his character. 

"God of hope, I look to you with an open heart and yearning spirit. During this Advent season, I will keep alert and awake, listening for your word and keeping to your precepts. My hope is in you." ~ Matthew Kelly

Father, 

We are in awe of who you are, and who Jesus is. May we understand more each and every day of Advent what these names in Isaiah 9:6 mean and grow closer to our Savior Jesus as we learn more about Him. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Wonderful Counselor, thank you for being the one who marvelously works all things out for our good and God’s glory. Help us have a better glimpse and understanding of your magnificent power and miraculous nature.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.(https://www.ibelieve.com/holidays/family-prayers-to-pray-each-day-of-advent.html)

Daily Dose For December 1st.

Advent 2020 began on Sunday, November 29th, and ends on Thursday, December 24.  So I am two days behind my observance.  The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” which is a translation of the Greek word parousia.  For Christians Advent season focuses on the expectation and anticipation of Christ’s birth.  Advent for me is a bow that ties the hope of Old Testaments saints of the coming Messiah, The faith of the church the Messiah has come and the Love of God coming again, to make new all creation!  

Memory Verse; He (Jesus) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 

Catch up day Psalms 149

“Light” represents the presence of God. God spoke through Isaiah, hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, to tell His people Jesus would be “light” for everyone.  

"The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come." ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Father, 

The way you spoke through Isaiah hundreds of years before Jesus was born is amazing! It helps us to understand your omnipresence and your plan from the beginning of time. Help us to understand your light, and what it means to be in your presence. We want to live in your light, Father, and we want to be a reflection of the light of Christ to others. Jesus came to be a light to all of us, not just a certain people group. He came to brighten up all of our days. Help us to discover this light in us, Father, and shine brightly for your kingdom!

In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (https://www.ibelieve.com/holidays/family-prayers-to-pray-each-day-of-advent.html)

Daily Dose For November 30

Memory Verse; Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength;They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

Song 6:4-8:14 Psalms 148

“When faith came to be in writings rather than in hearts, contention grew hot and love grew cold. That which is forced cannot be sincere, and that which is not voluntary cannot please Christ.” Erasmus of Rotterdam

Lord, just as your love knows no bounds and finds endless ways to reveal itself, so help us to express a gratitude too deep for words. Help us to learn to reveal our thanksgiving in the countless ways there are to love others, to provide for those in need, to serve where ser-vice is rare. Amen. (Commonprayer.net)

Daily Dose For November 29

Memory Verse; Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength;They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

Song 5:2-6:3 Psalms 147

“The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.” Eric Hoffer

For each new morning with its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for everything Thy goodness sends. — Ralph Waldo Emerson (https://www.womansday.com/life/g23705728/best-thanksgiving-prayer/)