Germantown UMC Devotionals

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Opening: What is your favorite tradition related to Christmas?

Scripture: Sunday’s message comes from today’s text. Read Amos 5:21-24; Matthew 2:1-12; 6:21.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

Amos is difficult to read during this Christmas season, especially if we equate “religious festivals” to Christmas. What do you think he really means? How does verse 24 guide your thoughts?
In your journey toward God, how are you like the Magi? Unlike them? Have you had to leave anything to follow Jesus?
What is the “gold, incense, and myrrh” in your life? What is your treasure (see Matthew 6:21)? How have you offered this to Jesus?

Prayer Focus: For tomorrow’s worship celebration, that our worship would be true and sincerely, and that we would seek justice and righteous living.

Message Series: “A Different Kind of Christmas”

Tomorrow’s Message Title: “By A Different Road”

Friday, December 21, 2012

Opening: Whom do you call first when you have good news to share?

Scripture: Read Luke 1:39-56.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

How might Mary have felt when Elizabeth greeted her? How is she “blessed” and encouraged?
How is Mary’s faith an example to you?
Mary’s song of praise in verses 46–55 traditionally has been called the “Magnificat,” a title derived from the opening word (magnificat=magnifies) in the Latin Vulgate translation. The Magnificat is the first of three hymns in Luke 1–2, the other two being the “Benedictus” (see Luke 1:67–79) and the “Nunc Dimittis” (see Luke 2:28–32).

Prayer Focus: That our hearts, minds, souls, words, actions – everything in us – would magnify and praise our God.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Opening: What is a recent surprise your family has experienced: A job promotion? A new addition to the family? Your child earned all “A’s”?

Scripture: Read Luke 1:26-38.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

What would it mean to doubt and fear God? When were you recently fearful but believing? How did God meet you?
In what area of your life do you need to believe that nothing is impossible with God? What keeps you from believing this?

Prayer Focus: That we would be like Mary, willing to do whatever the Lord asks of us.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Opening: If told you (or your parents) were to have a child this year, how would you react?

Scripture: Read Luke 1:5-25.

Connect the Text with Your Life:

Of the major characters in this story - Zechariah, Elizabeth, John - with whom do you most identify? Why? With whom do you identify least? Why?
When was the last time you doubted God? What caused your doubt?
Consider Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s character (verse 6) and struggle (verse 7). When have you been obedient to God and still felt forgotten? What does this story tell you?
Reread verses 14-17. How is John’s mission a model for your mission today? How might you “prepare” people for the Lord?

Prayer Focus: That we would 21^st century John the Baptists, “great in the sight of the Lord” and “leading people to God.”

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)