Germantown UMC Devotionals

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Today, we begin reading the birth narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

Opening: Have you drawn up your last will and testament? What important facts did you include? Who would you choose as the biographer of your life story, and why?

Scripture: Read Luke 1:1-4.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

What do you learn from verses 1-4 about Luke? About the reason he wrote this Gospel?
If you have a commentary or a Bible Dictionary, look up Theophilus and see what you can find.
What are your sources for your faith and understanding of the truth of the Gospel? List them.

Prayer Focus: That you will “know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”[1]

[1] John 8:32 (NIV)

Monday, December 17, 2012

Opening: Are you someone who experiences many moments of déjà vu? If you, are they typically of people or places?

Scripture: Read Isaiah 61:1-11.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

Does this passage sound familiar? It should. Jesus uses it to announce the beginning of his ministry in his home town of Nazareth (see Luke 4:14-21). List the five things the Messiah will do in verses 1-2:

Do we have any responsibility to accomplish these actions? Which one might you do?
Read verse 6 again. Is it easy or difficult to imagine yourself as a priest or minister of the Lord? Why or why not? What do you think is your best “pastoral” gift or talent?
How do others know that you are “blessed by the Lord” (see verse 9)? Think beyond the symbols of success that the world values.

Prayer Focus: That we will join Isaiah in saying, “I will sing for joy in GOD, explode in praise from deep in my soul!”[1]

[1] Isaiah 61:10 (MSG)

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Opening: Do you remember as a child or when your children were young that there were times the request, “Come look.” “See what I can do.” “Come help me.”

Scripture: Read Isaiah 55:1-12.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

There is a sense of urgency in this passage, as God invites everyone to enter into his promised blessings. God implores us to “seek the Lord while he may be found” (see verse 6).
“Come … come. … come.” Jesus also urgently calls come (see John 7:37–39). This is all one needs to do in order to find mercy in God. When do you hear God’s call to come?
Verse 5 addresses the glorious son of David, the messianic servant, through whom God attracts the nations, bringing history to its appointed consummation. Also see Romans 1:1–5.
Verse 8 talks about how God’s thoughts, insights, and plans are far beyond human comprehension. When has there been times when you simply did not understand what was going on or why things were happening the way they were? Did you still trust that God knew what was going on? Anything right now in your life that you need to trust God

Prayer Focus: That you would come to God with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.”[1]

[1] Isaiah 55:3 (NLT)

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Opening: What two positive qualities about your mom or dad come to mind as you recall your childhood?

Scripture: Sunday’s message comes from today’s texts. Read Hosea 3:1; Matthew 1:18-25; Romans 3:23-24.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

That’s right – God commands Hosea to do something most of us would say, “No way!” (If you don’t know the story of Hosea, read Hosea 1-3.) What does Hosea’s story tells us about God? About us? About God and His relationship with us?
What is most striking to you in this story of Jesus’ conception? How have you experienced Jesus as Immanuel in your life lately?
What do you learn about faith from Joseph? What does it mean to you to realize that God trust His Son to a man and a woman? What does it say about God trusting you to continue to raise up the next generation of Christ followers?

Prayer Focus: For tomorrow’s worship celebration to be a wonderful experience of praise and celebration, and that we would be people devoted to love in all circumstances.

Message Series: “A Different Kind of Christmas”

Tomorrow’s Message Title: “Scandalous Love“

Friday, December 14, 2012

Opening: Sometimes we have to go through pain, but after it’s over, there is blessing and joy; i.e., a vaccination. Think of some other human experiences that hurt in the beginning, but are for our good or bring about an enhanced life.

Scripture: Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

This is called “The Suffering Servant” passage. Such a prophecy is astounding! Who would believe that God would choose to save the world through a humble, suffering servant rather than a glorious king? The idea is contrary to human pride and worldly thinking. But God often works in ways we don't expect. The Messiah's strength is shown by humility, suffering, and mercy.[1]
Look through the passage again. Which prophecy would have been the most unbelievable for Isaiah’s original hearers? Which prophecies describe the experience of Jesus’ crucifixion? Which prophecies are most meaningful to you?
Verse 6 reads, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.”[2] Here is the message of Advent – Jesus came so that our sins would be taken away. Right now, give thanks to God for the gift of the Christ Child.

Prayer Focus: That we would be counted as righteous because of Jesus’ sacrifice.

[1] Life Application Study Bible, Isaiah 53:1ff

[2] Isaiah 53:6 (NLT)

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Opening: What does you name mean? If you do not know, you might look it up at http://www.babynames.com.

Scripture: Read Isaiah 49:1-13.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

Verse 1 foretold the announcement of Jesus’ birth. See Matthew 1:18-21 and Luke 1:30-31.
Reread verse 4. What work or effort in your life do you need to “leave it all in the hands of the Lord”? What then is left for you to do?
Look again at verse 7. Unlike the kings of this world, the servant of the Lord conquers by his sufferings. This was certainly fulfilled in Jesus – “by His stripes we are healed.”[1]

Prayer Focus: That we would be the “Lord’s sheep, whom He leads to green pastures and cool waters.”[2]

[1] Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

[2] See Isaiah 49:9-10

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Opening: You have been chosen to be the subject of newspaper article in your hometown. You’re asked to list your accomplishments and awards. What do you say?

Scripture: Read Isaiah 42:1-13.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

Verse 1 is very similar to God’s declaration at Jesus baptism. Read Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11, and Luke 3:21-22.
As you read today’s passage, what examples from Jesus’ life came to mind?
Verse 4 in the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament) reads, “And his name will be the hope of all the world” and is quoted in Matthew 12:21. How is Jesus the hope of all the world?
Reread verse 6. Do you know someone who needs these comforting words? Where do you need them in your life?

Prayer Focus: That everything in our lives would “glorify the LORD and sing his praise.”[1]

[1] Isaiah 42:12