Do You Know How To Leave A Legacy of Joy Though A Community Of Prayer?
Good Morning Friends,
For those who light Advent Wreaths this third week is the week of Joy and the lighting of the Pink Candle. And the thought of the light calls us to take this enthusiasm to the streets. We are asked to see with the eyes of our hearts, to be alert to God’s activity around us seeing with spiritual eyes. We are asked to celebrate as Jimmy Steward did in the last scene of the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. We are to realize that 70 years ago when the movie first came out as well as today it is not what appears on our balance sheet but the balance sheet of the community empowered by Jesus that makes the difference. And so, yesterday as we were praying in Immokalee about what God is establishing in us and today as we contemplate what difference we are making, we ask Jesus to fill us up with the Spirit. Do You Know How To Leave A Legacy of Joy Though A Community Of Prayer?
Scripture: I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:3-11 (NRSV)
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
John 2:1-11 (NRSV)
Message: The 1946 movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, based on the short story, The Greatest Gift is now among the most popular in American cinema and because of numerous television showings has become traditional viewing during the Christmas season. The film stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man who has given up his dreams in order to help others. Initially the film was, as George Bailey’s perceived life, a bit of a bust. But then there the countless viewers over time touched by the movie turned the tide. It is for me a bit reminiscent of the intervention of the angel that stopped George’s contemplate suicide. The Angel shows all the lives George Bailey touched and how different life in his community would have been if he had never been born. Today that disappointment of a movie has turned into one of the most acclaimed films ever made. Sometimes we have to have patience. And it reminds me our calling to make a difference even when we face disappointment. The timing has to be right. And it is here we learn that to be an affective body of believers and take it the distance we need to have a love that keeps us together. We need to be faithful. We need to be willing to stand in the gap and work in the world, to work with God. We need to be people of vision and optimism…generous in spirit and encouragers of the word. And friends, nothing is more important than active and joyful prayer in making that happen. Yes, we need to be promoters of joyful prayer that turns into action. We should help when the problem is not our fault or responsibility. We should help because miracles happen when we care about the needs of others. Here faults can become features when blessed with a little compassion. On the third day of creation God commanded the earth to produce all kinds of fruit. On the third day of the wedding feast water was turned into wine. On the third day Jesus was resurrected. We too are to experience the miracle of the third day. We too are to experience the miracle of the new creation. We too are to experience the abundance of joy during this third week of Advent. Our cup is to overflow with love that leaves a legacy of joyful prayer. We too are to be transformed by the extravagant provision of Jesus.
Pray that the Holy Spirit helps us to visualize the possibilities in people, places and situations. Pray that the Holy Spirit motivates us to try new things so we can see beyond our present horizons. Pray that through the Holy Spirit we take creative risks as acts of faith. Pray that the Holy Spirit provides creative ways for us to visualize healing and restored health. Pray that we visualize Christ’s kingdom multiplied with truth and righteousness throughout the world. Pray that we have the attitude and the gratitude of joy.
Pray we act as intercessors. Pray we be inspired to take action. Pray we admit our problems. Pray we bring our needs to Jesus. Pray we do whatever He tells us to do. Pray we commit ourselves completely to experiencing the kind of joy God intended. Pray we live in such a way that our words and our actions help others know of the joy God gives.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 