O Holy Presence,
We wait expectantly for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. We have been here many times before, but the wonder of this season still captures us. Lights are on homes, lighted crosses are on buildings, decorations are everywhere, carols and Advent songs are being played and sung. The world is abuzz with excitement and joy. Bless us, we pray. May we share the beauty and hope of the season. In Jesus name, AMEN.
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Please pray for Judy Holden, Sophia Farmer’s very good friend. Her son, Greg Holden, died on Monday in Wyoming.
Shira Shirley had heart bypass surgery in OKC yesterday at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital. Please pray for Shira.
Barbara Whinery is having surgery this afternoon at Mercy Hospital in OKC. Please lift up Barbara, Bret and their family in your prayers.
Maribel Moore has a doctor’s appointment at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital today. She will likely be admitted to that hospital or to St. Mary’s here in Enid for IV antibiotics. Please pray for Maribel.
I forgot to send the last few Advent devotions. They are below.
Grace and peace,
John McLemore
Tuesday Devotion: Read Matthew 4:18-22
How amazing would it be to have Jesus walk up to you and say “Follow me.”? To be Peter or Andrew, James or John and have the Savior look you in the eye and ask you to follow him.
It’s the season of being busy. It’s the season of overspending, running yourself ragged and trying to be everywhere at once. It’s the season of an over commercialized ‘Holiday’ because we can no longer call it Christmas. It’s the season for parties and food, of programs and dinners. Or is this the season to see God anew, to look Jesus in the eye and tell Him you will follow Him. Is it the season to take one thing off your plate to make room for not only that baby who was born in a manger but the man, the son of God, who died for your sins?
Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John by name beside the Sea of Galilee, just as he’s calling your name this Christmas season. Set one thing aside this season to take a moment and answer His call.
Precious Jesus, Loving God, be with us as we experience this Christmas season anew. Help us to see you in all we so this Christmas and enable us to focus more on you and your call. It’s in your name we pray. Amen.
Wednesday Devotion: Read Matthew 15:29-37
The holiday season is usually synonymous with joy and happiness, celebration and jubilation, but there are many who do not feel those things. This season can bring stress, heartache, disappointment and sorrow. Christ has compassion for us just as He does this crowd!! He wants us to be well fed before our journeys. He wants our holiday season to be joyful, but there are two very important elements that must happen before those gifts can be given: faith and action. In verse 34 the disciples are confused at how they could feed so many with so little, but when Jesus blessed they food, they passed it without question. They exercised faith! As they passed the meal they were partaking in the miracle. They took action! God could have easily made it rain bread and fish from the sky, but instead Christ gave the loaves and fish to the disciples and they were the instruments for which the miracle was carried out.
There is a principle here. When the Lord begins to move to meet a need, He often does it by moving His people.
We are his disciples and as we celebrate and give thanks for our blessings, may we be aware of those around us that need us to break bread with them. They need a leg up, a meal, a gift, and a friend, something to nourish their soul for the journey ahead. May we all have the compassion of Christ and may we all be well fed.
Amanda Phillips
Thursday Devotion: Read Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Jesus’ parables are word pictures that compare some aspect of common, everyday life with some truth about the kingdom of God. Hearing a parable of Jesus should always lead us to action. After listening to a parable, we should ask: “What must I do now?”
Jesus pointed out that a house whose foundation is firm can withstand storms. And he compares the foundation of a house to the foundation of our lives. Only a life whose foundation is firm can withstand the storms of life. The foundation of a Christian’s life is built on listening to the Word of God and doing what it says.
There is no point in asking a doctor about our health issues unless we do what we hear the doctor tell us to do. Likewise we should do what we hear Jesus telling us to do. Yet there are so many who listen to the teachings of Jesus but do not put them into action.
This holiday season, after you listen to the stories of the birth of Jesus, ask God: “Now that I have heard your Holy Word, what do you want me to do? May your response to the Word of God bring a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year to you, your family and others.
Rev. Don Johnson
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