Page 11 - Living Light 91

Friday December 5 - Living God
“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look – I am alive for ever and ever!” Revelation 1:18
Jesus died and rose to new life. We may affirm this truth in our church services, but do we consider how a living God affects our lives? Because this truth makes all the difference! Our God was dead but is alive – and he will live for ever and ever, as Jesus affirmed to John. Our living God loves us and therefore intervenes in our lives. He hears us when we pray. He answers our prayers according to his wisdom and grace and what is good for us.
This truth of the living God reverberates throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament to the New. For instance, the Psalmist cries out, ‘The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!’ (Psalm 18:46). Elsewhere the prophets declare that he is a God who lives, unlike dead idols (Jeremiah 10:3-6). Peter, when he affirms who Jesus is, says: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Truly our God is alive!
I invite you, as we again prepare for the celebration of the birth of this living God, to bring before Jesus any fears or concerns that are weighing you down. Think for a moment of the burdens your loving God might want to lift from you today. May your trust in him be strengthened and renewed.
Living God, thank you that in you I live and move and have my being (Acts 17:28). Help me to trust you, knowing that you love me. Amen.
Saturday December 6 - The testimony of the saints
“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” Revelation 1:19
God entrusts his truth to us in order that we pass it along to others, even as he empowered John to see this divine vision, which we hold onto all these centuries later: “Write what you’ve seen...” We might not feel that we’re natural writers, but we don’t have to be in order to share our testimony. Of course, writing can be an effective way to tell our stories, whether to our family and close friends or more broadly. But with today’s technology, we can also grab our phones and have someone record an interview with us, in order that we document what we’ve seen and experienced. Or we could record voice notes of the ways God has met us and changed us.
As we continue in the book of Revelation this month, you might want to pause and give thanks for John and other disciples of old who listened and obeyed God; after all, we benefit from what they experienced and shared. And you might want to pray for all who continue to do so today, whether in writing or through other ways of sharing God’s transforming love. Let’s also not forget the love that moves from person to person, through a simple shared cup of tea or when we send someone a loving text message.
So perhaps you might give the gift of your own testimony as a Christmas present this year!
Lord Jesus Christ, you love others through me! Please help me to be your vessel of peace and grace. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
9