Sunday (12/5)

As Jesus was approaching the time of his crucifixion, he told his disciples, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give” (John 14:27a NLT). During Advent we are reminded that in Christ we have hope, love, joy, as well as peace that “transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). As we continue our journey towards Christmas and celebrating the birth of our Savior, this daily devotional for the second week of Advent is designed to help you focus on Jesus each day as you prioritize spending time with the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

 

Monday (12/6)

            To prepare your heart and mind to focus on Christ, read part of the hymn lyrics

            from “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” by James Montgomery:

 

                                    To him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend;

                                       his kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end.

                                    The tide of time shall never his covenant remove;

                                       his name shall stand forever; that name to us is love.

 

            Read 1 Samuel 16:10-13. In the verses the prophet Samuel anoints David with oil as a

            sign of God’s presence with him and to signify that he was chosen to become the next

            king of Israel.

 

            How have you experienced the Spirit of the Lord working powerfully in your life or the

            lives of others?

 

                        Prayer

                        Spirit of the living God, I am in awe that you have chosen to dwell within people

                        like me. We are flawed vessels and imperfect dwelling places. Because of my

                        faith in Jesus your power is working in me and through me. You are transforming

                        me more and more into the likeness of Christ. Guide my thoughts, words, and

                        actions. I pray that all I think, say, and do glorifies you. Amen.

 

 

Tuesday (12/7)

            Read part of the hymn lyrics from “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”:

 

                                    To him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend;

                                       his kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end.

 

            Read God’s message to King David about his son, Solomon, and their descendants

            from 2 Samuel 7:12-13. God fulfilled his promise to David to “establish the throne of

            his kingdom forever” in and through Jesus over 900 years after the promise was made.

 

            Which of God’s promises that apply to you stand out the most? Why?

           

                        Prayer

                        God, I trust that you fulfill your promises even when that means generations of

                        people and centuries pass before they are fulfilled. Your thoughts are not like our

                        thoughts. Your ways are unlike our ways. Your ways and thoughts are higher than

                        ours, just as the heavens are higher than the earth. Let your kingdom come and

                        your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

 

 

Wednesday (12/8)

            To prepare your heart and mind to focus on Christ, read part of the hymn lyrics

            from “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”:

 

                                    To him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend;

                                       his kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end.

                                    The tide of time shall never his covenant remove;

                                       his name shall stand forever; that name to us is love.

 

            Read Jeremiah 33:14-16. The verses are a message revealed by God through the

            prophet about 600 years before Jesus was born. The “righteous Branch” in verse 15 is

            Jesus.

 

            How can you follow Jesus’ example by doing what is “just and right” here and now?

           

                        Prayer

                        Righteous Savior, forgive us when we knowingly and unknowingly hinder justice

                        and righteousness. Help us to forgive ourselves and others. Help us to know what

                        is just and right, then to do it. We needed you and you came to us. We needed a

                        savior and you saved us. I praise you for doing for us what we could not do for

                        ourselves. May my life glorify you. Amen.

 

 

Thursday (12/9)

            Read part of the hymn lyrics from “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” by James Montgomery:

 

                                    To him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend;

                                       his kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end.

 

            Read the prophet’s message about the coming Messiah and the location of Jesus’

            birthplace from Micah 5:2-4 that was foretold centuries before it occurred.

 

            Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak most clearly to you today? Reread

            the verses. Let the word, phrase, or verse roll around in your thoughts and mind now

            and throughout the day.

 

                        Prayer

                        Lord, I humbly submit to you. Let your will be done in my life and on earth as it is

                        in heaven. Guide us, the sheep of your flock. You are our Good Shepherd. Your

                        greatness reaches the ends of earth, including every part of me and my life.

                        Thank you, Lord! Thank you for your son, Jesus. In his name I pray. Amen.

 

 

Friday (12/10)

            Read part of the hymn lyrics from “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” to center your heart

            and mind on Christ:

 

                                    To him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend;

                                       his kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end.

                                    The tide of time shall never his covenant remove;

                                       his name shall stand forever; that name to us is love.

 

            Read the prophetic message about Jesus in Isaiah 9:6-7.

 

            Which of the names that is used in verse 6 to describe our Lord resonates with you the

            most today? Why?

 

                        Prayer

                        Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and Wonderful Counselor,

                        I am comforted by the hope found in you. You loved me before I took my first

                        breath and was formed in my mother’s womb. Help me to love others like you

do. I appreciate the joy I have because of you. Help me to share this joy with

                        others. Your peace that you give me is a gift that passes my understanding. Guide

                        me to be a peacemaker in my family, with my friends, within the church, in the

                        community, and wherever I go. Guide me now and always. Amen.

 

 

Saturday (12/11)                    

            How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The sabbath

            is a day each week that is set apart from the others to worship God, rest, and enjoy life-

            giving recreation. You may need to begin by setting aside an hour on Saturday or Sunday

            to develop a new habit of observing the sabbath. It might be helpful for you to

            incrementally observe the sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each

            weekend until you are eventually able to worship, rest, and engage in living-giving

            recreation for an entire day each week.

 

            Read Psalm 96, then join the psalmist in singing, praising, and rejoicing. You may find it

            helpful to sing a familiar hymn, Christmas carol, or contemporary Christian song.

 

            Solitude & Silence. You are encouraged to find a place where you can quietly be alone

            for at least ten or fifteen minutes. During your time of solitude & silence with God, you

            may want to lay down, sit on a comfortable chair, couch, or swing, or go for a walk.

            During the solitude, silently listen for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit. For many

            believers the Holy Spirit does not speak in an audible voice. Instead, the Spirit will place

            a thought, phrase, verse from scripture, song, image, person, or idea in your heart and

            mind. Notice the physical sounds you hear and the way your body feels during this time

            of silence. Try to shut out the thoughts of to-do lists, plans for the day, etc. Simply be

            with God. After the ten to fifteen minutes, then read the Bible verses listed below.

           

            Read Exodus 20:8-11, which is one of the Ten Commandments given by God to the

            Israelites in chapter twenty. What do these verses and God’s commandment reveal

            about the Sabbath day?

 

            Pray in response to our Creator, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

           

                       

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.