During the time of advent we are going to be using a devotional written by young adults from the Baltimore Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church.
If you would like to download the whole devotional you can visit here
Sunday, December 8 Second Sunday of Advent
Rev. Katie Bishop Focus: Keep Watch Matthew 24:36-44
Christ walked through the city of Jerusalem proclaiming righteousness and good things to the masses around him throughout Judea. John the Baptist proclaimed the gospel of the coming of the Messiah in Jerusalem and throughout Judea. Christ nor John the Baptist neither saw nor communicated with each other on a regular basis, but were inextricably tied to each other by Gods biblical prophecy and genetic background (they were first cousins). John spent his entire life in the wilderness eating wild honey, wearing clothes made of locust hair and preparing for, anticipating, the moment of truth when he and Christ would be in the same place at the same time to fulfill scripture. At the right moment, Christ did arrive at the Jordan River and John the Baptist was able to fulfill his destiny, complete a task that he had waited a lifetime for. And when the moment of truth came, the heaven’s opened up and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove from heaven. At that moment, everyone at the Jordan River with Christ and John the Baptist knew that this event, this instant in time when both men would be together, was ordained by God. What this Scripture says to me is to remember that Gods ways are not our ways. Sometimes, what happens is that we may be in a position to minister to someone about Gods love but we miss the opportunity because we think the person is on drugs, an alcoholic or maybe has some other bad habits that make us think the person will not receive what we have to say. We wonder: is this the right person to minister to, the right place to do it (you may be in a gym with everyone working out, and not at church), will I say the right words, quote scriptures correctly, etc. Those are valid concerns. Remember, though, that many times a person may need to hear your message and is more willing to accept it than you think because they are at rock bottom and, more importantly, they have an open ear because you are taking the time to give them personal attention and show empathy. The question becomes, what are you waiting for? Sometimes God wants to work through us when we fear our own strengths and are not ready to do so because that is when it (the Gospel being preached) is often needed the most.
Monday, December 9
Angela Pinder Focus: what are you waiting for? Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12
How long are you going to continue to do this? It was that voice, that still, small voice that we talk about when God is trying to get through to us and we finally stop and get quiet enough to listen? When are you going to start preparing yourself? I had stopped at a rest area along the highway, discouraged because I thought I knew how to get where I was going. No map, no directions (before Siri), and I had spent the last hour and a half way off course. My surprise visit to someone was not going to happen. I was out of time. So, I looked at the mountains and prayed so I could feel like I hadn’t wasted an entire afternoon. But, this was what I heard, How long? When? For too long, I was trusting in my own knowledge, operating from my own experiences, procrastinating right up until something had to be done, and expecting that God would bail me out along the way when I was too far offtrack. This plan wasn’t working. I was starting to feel withered. I needed to repent and be intentional about my life and my faith. In this season of Advent, we are preparing for the coming of the Lord. We hear the voice of John the Baptist in the wilderness, echoing the prophet Isaiah: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Matt. 3:3, NIV) As the people came out to meet John, they were looking for the Messiah to save them. We still wait for Christ to come again. But, have we prepared ourselves? Are we heading out onto the highway without a map? Are we thinking that we’ll figure it out as we go along? All of these are behaviors from which we must repent. Then, God can really use us to bear fruit worthy of his kingdom.
PRAYER: Holy God, Help me to prepare the way for you in my life this Advent, and every day through prayer and preparation, so that I may bear kingdom-fruit. Amen.
Tuesday, December 10
Rev. Dr. Melissa Rudolph Focus: Bearing fruit for the Kingdom Matthew 3:1-12
These verses remind us that Advent is not simply a time to remember a birth long ago, but a time of preparation for the fresh in-breaking of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We remember the anticipation of the coming King in Bethlehem, and remind ourselves that the coming of the Kingdom of God is still happening. It happens every day, in our lives, in our churches, in our workplaces and communities. So what are we doing to “prepare the way” for God to move in us and through us? And what have we left undone? Have we spoken out against oppression, actively sought to help the poor? Or have we merely thought about these things as we turn inward, focusing on what we want and need, ignoring cries for God’s justice and mercy? John warns the Pharisees and Sadducees that they must “produce the fruits of repentance” – in other words, they must walk the walk and not merely talk the talk. As we prepare this Advent for the in-breaking of the Kingdom on earth, pray about the ways you are being called to break new paths for justice, mercy and a deeper knowledge of God. PRAYER: Almighty God, help us during Advent to prepare our hearts, minds and bodies for a place for your Son, Jesus, so that we may create new paths of justice, mercy and love for all your people. Amen.
Wednesday, December 11
Kate Mackereth Focus: Walk the walk Scriptures: Matthew 3:1-12, Isaiah 10:1-5
I recently attended a wedding where just before the bride made her grand entrance, a little boy, about four years old, came down the aisle ringing a huge bell, decked out from head to toe in a fancy tuxedo and shiny shoes, yelling “The bride is coming! The bride is coming!” Needless to say, everyone in the room was immediately captivated by the enthusiasm and childish charm this kid possessed. The ceremony could have been all about him, but it wasn’t. He was simply the forerunner, or the one whose assignment was to pave the way for the true star, the bride. The reality is, that’s who most of us in the room had come to. We had anticipated how she would look, what style gown she would be wearing, who would have the honor of escorting her down the aisle, if she would smile or cry the entire time. The expectations in the room were vast, but the common thread was that we all came expecting something. Mary and her beloved cousin Elizabeth were pregnant at the same time. Both pregnancies were historic: Mary was a pregnant virgin, and Elizabeth was a pregnant senior citizen. They each were carrying gifts straight from heaven. However, each baby was to be different. Elizabeth’s baby boy, John, was going to be the forerunner. John’s job was to prepare the community, even the world, for the arrival of his cousin, Jesus. John had already begun his preaching ministry, calling people to repentance, teaching them that they needed to turn away from what broke the heart of God. But John was a strange man. He wasn’t fashionable. He didn’t even keep himself well groomed. He didn’t shave and never frequented a barbershop. Even his choice of cuisine was strange: locusts and wild honey. But all these things were trivial or unimportant to John. What was important was that the road was crystal clear for Jesus to come on the scene and take the entire world to the place designated by God for the restoration of humanity. John was just as gifted, just as anointed, just as powerful in his proclamation as Jesus, but John knew and was comfortable accepting his role in God’s plan. Once Jesus got on the scene, John quietly disappeared into the background. He wasn’t upset that he was no longer the fiery preacher that captivated audiences. He wasn’t angry that people would quickly forget about whom he was or what he did. John rang many bells during his “aisle experience,” and like the cute little boy at the wedding, he faded into the mix and fixed his eyes on the true star. Maybe you’re like John. Maybe you’re a forerunner. Maybe you possess the gifts and graces to set some things up for others to come behind you and be fruitful. If that’s you, how will you use your voice? Will you, like John, yell for justice? Will you declare that God delights when we care for God’s creation? Will you ring the bells of liberation and freedom for all those who are oppressed? You’ve got a powerful role! Celebrate the fact that God trusts you with that assignment, and embrace it to the best of your ability. When the time is right, and your assignment is done, you too shall hear the two words all God’s people long to hear, “Well done!”
Thursday, December 12
Pastor Michael Parker II Focus: Are you the forerunner? Matthew 3:1-12
There are moments in life where you have to wait or even stop longer than expected. But there are those few moments where you must get up and go. The key is to know the difference. For many young adults we’ve been told to “wait our turn” or to simply be patient. But in this Advent season, we can anticipate receiving a change that we’ve been waiting for. In Matthew 11:2-11, Jesus answers a question posed by followers of John the Baptist: “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” They wanted to know, with readiness, if Jesus was the Messiah, the One they’ve been waiting for. But I like how Jesus took His time answering this impatiently asked question. Although they rushed, He was patient. Here’s what happened. John the Baptist needed to know if Jesus was the real deal or another imposter. By inquiring about whom Jesus was, John the Baptist allowed himself to be validated and in that spiritual validation his inquiry was answered. Verse nine let us know the followers of John the Baptist met one who is “more than just a prophet.” And the way in which God reveals is always more than just we expect. This is why, in this holiday season, I challenge you to identify when you have to move with dispatch in God’s direction. In the moments where God gives the good news you’ve been waiting for, don’t wait; just accept it and move with it. My prayer is that every question you have for God is answered with a spirit of expectation of joy, new life and peace. This is the good news you’ve been waiting for.
Friday, December 13
Pastor Beryl & Lady Roxane Whipple Theme: Moving in God’s direction Matthew 11:2-11
Pull out your cell phone and open your contacts page. As you scroll through your various contacts, reflect upon the role each contact plays in your life. Who would you call if you wanted to vent? Who would you contact if you wanted to laugh or have a good time? Who would you call when you needed encouragement? Now, think about this carefully. Who would you call to receive frank, honest truth from a biblical perspective? Who would be the person to tell you, “You are wrong, you need to apologize?” Who would be the person to tell you to let go of your pride and repent to God for your sin? I pray that you have a person like that in your contact list, and if you do that person is your John the Baptist. Everyone needs a John the Baptist in his or her life. We need people to help save us from ourselves and prepare us for the great things on the horizons. These people sensitize us to how we have become a stumbling block to our own spiritual progress and God’s kingdom. As we embrace the words of John to repent and to turn from our way to God’s Way, we become more open to experience and enjoy the Christ encounters in our future. John does not soften his words for anyone. The religious received the same message as the common criminal: “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” How badly do we need to hear these words in our churches and conferences, among our clergy, episcopal leaders, seminary professors and presidents, missionaries, trainers and coaches, and any other church leader? The message of repentance is for everyone, especially those who lead in the Body of Christ. The more open we become to accept the inconvenient, irritating message of John, the more prepared we will be to magnify God’s kingdom on this earth.
PRAYER: God, help me hear the message of the John the Baptists in my life, so that I may repent, turn around, and follow you anew. Amen.
Saturday, December 14
Rev. Kendrick D. Weaver Focus: Who is your John? Matthew 3:1-12
We live in a world of expectations. Our parents expect us to act a certain way; school expects us to perform a certain way; our peers expect us to look a certain way. We have expectations for ourselves, too, of what our life should look like as we get older. Expectations for certain events: for our wedding, for our career, for our relationships. I’m sure that John had a lot of expectations for how he would meet the Messiah. He’d probably pictured it in his head a million times, waiting for that moment when he would be able to shout to the world, “This is the one you’ve been waiting for!!” And I’m sure the vision he had in his head was not the reality that Matthew’s gospel shares. Surely John didn’t picture himself in prison awaiting death, sending his disciples out to check if Jesus was the Messiah. Not only was the way he met Jesus not what he expected, but also Jesus was probably not what he expected the Messiah to be. He certainly wasn’t the kind of messiah the average Jewish person expected. He was better. Expectations can be hard things to live up to. If we aren’t careful, when reality does not meet with our expectations, we can become wounded, frozen in action. Sometimes our expectations for what life should be keep us from recognizing the good things we have. John could have ignored Jesus from his prison cell because this was not what he expected. He could have languished away in prison, still awaiting the Messiah he thought would come. But he didn’t. Like John, we have to be willing to let go of our expectations when needed. If our life doesn’t look like we thought it would, we have the choice to change it, or to be content where we are. What are the expectations that are holding you back from being who God wants you to be? This advent season, I invite you to give them over to Jesus, so that you might be transformed.
PRAYER: Amazing God, help me to see You in the unexpected places of my life this Advent, so that I may experience your love, grace and presence more fully. Amen.