The kingdom of God is near: Advent Daybook 10
An Advent daybook for these weeks of prayerful expectation.
Pray: Heavenly Father, make me more like Jesus and more like the true self you've created as I spend my time, energy, and money for others in response to your loving presence today. Please guide my thoughts and impressions by your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Look: Snow Hill, Andrew Wyeth - Source | HT
Listen*: Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella, Fernando Ortega - Spotify | YouTube
Read**: Psalm 26, 28, 36, 39; Isaiah 5:13-17, 24-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28; Luke 21:29-38
Excerpts:
"Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.
I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.
I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds."
*
"Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever."
*
"How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light."
*
" 'O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!' " Selah
*
"Man is humbled, and each one is brought low, and the eyes of the haughty are brought low. But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness. Then shall the lambs graze as in their pasture,
and nomads shall eat among the ruins of the rich."
*
"Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
*
"And he told them a parable: 'Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."
-Psalm 26:1-7 * Psalm 28:6-9 * Psalm 36:7-9 * Psalm 39:4-5 * Isaiah 5:15-17 * 1 Thessalonians 5:13b-22 * Luke 21:29-33 (ESV)
Pray: from 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (ESV)
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Amen.
Spend a few quiet moments giving thanks for the gift of Jesus who makes it possible for us to be blameless in the sight of an almighty God and for the Holy Spirit who calls us continually into the finished work of Christ.
Do: Spend time praying for an acquaintance or loved one who does not yet live in a relationship with God through Jesus.
Consider making a (virtual or outdoor) lunch or dinner date or even writing a special Christmas card to share your own story of good news that Jesus came, is with us now, and is coming again.
For an introduction read this post: Advent Daybook Explained. You can see previous Advent daybook 2019 posts here.
* Listen to my entire playlist on Spotify: Advent 2020: Gracious Invitation. Add it to your account by clicking right clicking on the three dots and selecting "Save to Library".
** Sunday Scripture readings are taken from Year B of the Book of Common Prayer 2019 (Anglican Church of North America). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and include both Morning and Evening Psalms (Year 1).