Daily Share-a-Prayer w/e 08/12/2024
Derek Mill
Worship Leader, All Saints Church, Belton
Sunday 8th December
Heavenly Father, we spent some time yesterday decorating the house ready for Christmas. Like most people, we do this every year sometime during Advent. Like many things it is an outward sign of something which is going on in the heart; or at least it could or should be
Getting ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus is a heart matter more than a home matter. When surrounded by boxes of decorations full of glittering tinsel, baubles and lights, and a bare tree, the house looks pretty messy; but once it is all sorted and the empty boxes are removed, the house is transformed
Help me to remember: "Don't focus on the mess, focus on the Man. House or heart, which is ready?" We have a saying: "Home is where the heart is". It is easy to forget our Heavenly home while living on earth. It is easy to forget Christ when getting ready for Christmas. In all the preparation, our hearts and minds can be consumed with all the practicalities and we can forget what it's all about
Lord Jesus, You spoke about this kind of thing: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"
If I have everything ready, the decorations are all out and very pretty, the cards are all written and stamped, the presents are all bought and wrapped, but I don't have You in my heart I have missed the point. Help me to keep You in my heart all day, every day". Jesus is not just for Christmas"
Amen
Songs for today:
Jesus lover of my soul (It's all about You)
Carman: Celebrating Christmas
Bony M: Mary's Boy Child
O little town of Bethlehem - The glory of Christmas
Saturday 7th December
Heavenly Father, just occasionally my attention is drawn by a trailer for a film; those clips that show a few scenes from a film without giving too much away, but just enough to get me wondering what happens next and what is the final outcome
A man meets an angel who shows him what life would be like if he'd never been born. A man goes to meet his wife at her office party but hears gun shots. A book shop owner meets a famous film actress. A young boy lifts up his adopted father's truck with one hand. A man's whole life is really a movie. All scenes that might make us want to watch a film
It crossed my mind a couple of days ago that Christmas is a bit like Your movie trailer: 'Why are the married couple travelling? Who are the wealthy strangers travelling to find them, and are they good or bad? Why does a king feel threatened? Why does the family have to flee the country? Why is there a light in the sky, a new star?
If this were a movie, I'd probably want to watch it. If I saw that this was a true life story I'd definitely want to watch it! I watched a film a few days ago and have since talked to two or three people about it. I told them enough to get them interested without telling them the whole story; just enough to whet their appetite.
Father, help me to share my enthusiasm for Christmas with other people. Help me to share enough of Jesus' birth so others want to know what happens next. Help me to share my life with Jesus so people want to know more about Him. How does a baby born in an obscure village become the Saviour of the world?
Fact is stranger than fiction. Truth is found in One Man. May Christmas draw people to find out more about Jesus
Amen
Songs for today:
From the squalor of a borrowed stable
Saviour of the world
Jesus Saviour of the world
Top 10 Christmas Carols
Friday 6th December
Heavenly Father, Christmas carols have played a central role in my Christmas celebrations for most of my adult life. There are many carols that the vast majority of people know, but there are also even more that very few people know
These carols range from medieval and renaissance times, right through to modern carols. The modern carols can vary enormously from those in traditional four part harmony, those in a pop or rock style and those using dissonant harmonies that many people find difficult to understand or listen to
There are some which are songs that speak of the modern world we live in with little or no reference to Jesus at all. Christmas trees, snow, reindeer, donkeys presents, and family feature prominently, but no Christ. All of this is part of Christmas, and all of it can be enjoyed, but without the central character, Jesus, its meaning can be completely lost; like a birthday party where the 'birthday boy' is not invited; like a birthday party where everyone swaps presents but the 'birthday boy' receives nothing
Lord Jesus, help me to keep You at the centre of Christmas. Help me to enjoy every aspect of the celebrations, but help me to always have my eyes on You. Help me to 'sing my heart out' in every carol as praise and worship to You. When I 'raise a glass' help me to remember it is You I am celebrating
Help me also to remember why You were born and to give thanks for the life You lived and the sacrifice You made. The Cross is central to Christmas. Receive my heart as a gift to You. Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
John Rutter - Christmas Album
Gaudete
Thursday 5th December
Heavenly Father, thank You for helping me to know You better. This is only possible because You have come to meet with us, people, and that You come to meet with us today. The only Way I can really know You is through Jesus
Each time I read Your Word, especially when I read about Jesus, my eyes are opened and I know You better. Each word that Jesus speaks tell me something about You. Everything Jesus does tells me something about You. Jesus is God, as You are God, so naturally and supernaturally You are the same
Jesus said: "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what he sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does"
Father, thank You for coming to earth, living among us, as one of us, so we could know You better
Thank You that Your life on earth is recorded in the Gospels as a permanent reminder of that life
Thank You also that You have done what Jesus said You would do. "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of Truth... The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you". This is exactly what the Spirit is doing now as I pray
Thank You for the gift of the Spirit, poured out on all who believe. I know I cannot pray without Him
Thank You for meeting with me again today. What a privilege to know You, and getting to know You
Amen
Songs for today:
Knowing You
Holy and anointed One
Holy Spirit come
Wednesday 4th December
Heavenly Father, help me to keep my focus on Jesus throughout this Christmas season. The way we pronounce Christmas does not lead us immediately to think of Christ. The adverts on TV don't immediately lead us to think of Christ
Often the adverts paint a picture which is far removed from the reality of day to day life for most of us. When we do try to match up we find we are left with a mountain of debt and a mountain of food we can't possibly eat
My devotional today reminded me of Jesus' words: "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty". Physically we will get hungry, and we do need food and water to live, but spiritually we will die without Jesus. This is why I need to keep Jesus as my main focus at this time of year
It is easy to be distracted and weighed down by the pressure to match up to the expectations of the world, when Your expectations are so light; give thanks for the birth of the Saviour of the world. Sing His praises. Worship Him. Bring the only gift He wants. "What can I give Him, poor as I am. If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. Yet what I can, I give Him, give my heart"
Gifts are a big part of Christmas, but the greatest gift is what You have given us, Jesus "For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace". Jesus, be the centre of my Christmas
Amen
Poem and songs for today:
1 Corinthians 13: a Christmas version by Sharon Jaynes
In the bleak midwinter
For unto us a child is born
Jesus be the centre
Tuesday 3rd December
Heavenly Father, I again came across the poem called 'One Solitary Life' this morning as I prayed and thought about Jesus. It is attributed to James Allan Francis. It includes a phrase, near the end that has stuck in my mind ever since the first time I heard it, "I am well within the mark..." The complete sentence is: "I am well within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned - put together - have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that one, solitary life"
Thank You for this reminder that Jesus is the greatest man who ever lived. There was a boxer who considered himself 'the greatest' but he wasn't and isn't. There is a man who called himself 'the special one' but he wasn't and isn't
There are many discussions about GOATs, (the greatest of all time) usually in the world of sports or entertainment where people speak from their POV (point of view); but no-one has affected the world as much as Jesus, because He is the only One who actually matters. "No-one but You Lord, can satisfy the longing in my heart..." "There is none like You..."
Lord Jesus, You make all the difference! Yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever, You make all the difference. You are the only One who opens the Gates of Heaven and invites us in. Only Your words matter when it comes to Salvation
Thank You that Your One Solitary Life has changed my life. Jesus, the Lamb, You really are the Greatest of All Time
Amen
Poem and Songs:
One Solitary Life - poem
From the squalor of a borrowed stable
No-one but You Lord (Only You)
There is none like You
Monday 2nd December
Heavenly Father, I don't often think about things unless they affect me. That is horrible I know. I never really thought about pavements being lowered at corners until I had to push my mother-in-law, then my wife, and more recently my daughter, in a wheelchair. Even a small kerb makes it difficult to manoeuvre a wheelchair. Paths that slope from side to side also make it difficult, as do hedges overgrowing way beyond a boundary making the path very narrow, or cars parked blocking the way
These are just a few examples of things I don't usually think about; I'm sure there are many others but I'm not thinking about them at the moment. A mum looked at her son recently and asked herself, "I wonder what kind of weird person you are going to be?" An interesting thought
I know we all have needs, but some have more needs than others. Some needs come and go, like a wheelchair for some, but for others they last for their whole life, and always have to be considered. Thank You that our awareness of special educational needs and disabilities has been raised in more recent years; that these needs are more closely monitored, diagnosed, and catered for
Lord Jesus, You met everyone with the same love, care, and compassion. Forgive me for not always thinking of the needs of others, whether they are basic or special. Help me to see everyone as special, whether they are in need or not. Help me to be more aware and considerate of those around me. Help me to keep this in mind even when I am not affected. Thank You
Amen
Songs for today:
When my heart runs dry
I know a place
The Jesus Way
all songs (usually with lyrics) and talks courtesy of YouTube
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