8th. December. 2020. Daily Devotion.

Gift of Love

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ~ John 3:16

As we begin to celebrate Christmas, thoughts of gifts and gift giving will be on our minds. The greatest gift ever given was God’s gift to us. This was a gift for which the world had been waiting. A promise had been made, many years prior, that one would come to save the world. The world waited with expectancy.

Then it happened; a baby boy was born in a stable. His name was Jesus. He grew and taught, healed, cautioned, and performed miracles, but mostly He loved and had compassion on us. He was on this earth for only 33 years, yet His story will be told forever. His entire purpose was a journey to His death on a cross for the redemption of our sins. The grave did not hold Him though, as He resurrected and gives us the promise of life everlasting.

This can be a gift for each of us, but a gift is not ours if we don’t receive it. This Christmas reach out and accept the gift that can change a life forever: God’s gift to us, a true labour of love. J. Calvert

Dear God, thank you for the greatest gift ever given. I accept your gift of salvation through Jesus your Son. Amen

A Prayer for inner peace

Heavenly God, may I have peace within, this day;
May I trust God that I am exactly where I am meant to be.
May I not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May I use those gifts that I have received, and pass on the love that has been given to me. May I be confident knowing I am a child of God.
Let this presence settle into my bones, and allow my soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. This I pray in Christ’s name, Amen. (~ St. Therese of Lisieux)

Prayer for Renewal

Lord, I am one of your people, the sheep of your flock. I pray for you to heal those who are wounded; touch those who are in pain; restore those who are affected by the pandemic, clean those who are soiled; warm those who are cold; help me to know the Father’s love through Jesus the shepherd, and through the Spirit.

Help me to lift up that love and show it all over this land. Help me to build love on justice and justice on love. Help me to believe mightily, hope joyfully, and love divinely. Renew me that I may help renew the face of the earth. Amen.

Advent Reflection

The light of Jesus was seen in many ways but one of the main ones was through what he did. He didn’t just talk about the love of God, he demonstrated it, day after day. Our lives are to be demonstrations of the love of God. We are to live in such a way that people notice and give praise to God. Are people praising God because of what we are doing? Both as individuals and churches, the challenge is to live out love.

Prayer

Lord, help me not to hide my light. Save me from apathy and the blandness that so easy envelops us. Let me use my energy in ways that bless others and demonstrate your love. May the peoples praise you, O God. Amen.