To approach - Malachi 3:3b-4

His coming made peace between God and me: my offerings are now pleasing in His sight. Spend time in prayer considering how His offering has made yours acceptable. Allow Him to settle your hearts in peace more deeply. Does this revelation change how I approach His throne of grace?

To thank - Philippians 1:3-8

Come with a thankful heart today for how God is and will bring His good works to completion in your life. Thank God for the people He has put in your life as family and partners in the gospel. As you thank God, can you feel the peace of Christ cover you and even your relationships you are thanking Him for? Thank God for His peace that surpasses all understanding.

To receive - Philippians 1:9-11

Take time to intentionally the love of God for you that your love may also grow. Allow the fruit of righteousness to fill you. Does your heart feel more at peace with God and man knowing how deeply loved you are?

To share - Luke 3:1-6

Who around you needs their valleys filled, their mountains made low, their crooked paths straight, their rough paths smooth? Who needs to know the good news of the gospel? Who needs the peace of God to breakthrough in their hearts and lives. Pray from them today. Ask Holy Spirit to give you the words of peace that would encourage their hearts today.

To hold - Luke 1:68-75

When we behold who God is - his greatness, faithfulness, love, etc…, we find our own brokenness more evident. Behold Him today. If things arise to repent of, do so, seeking His forgiveness in light of who He is and the peace of Christ we can have in every circumstance.

To consume - Luke 1:76-79

Today, we prepare our hearts to partake in communion - the tangible reality of Prince of Peace who has made a way for us to know God through His own blood. What does it look like to allow the Prince of Peace to reign in my heart and my life today? What does it mean in my life that Jesus will shine on us and guide our feet into the way of peace?

To examine - Luke 3:7-9

Is the fruit in my life consistent with repentance? Are there areas in my life where I depend on anything but the mercy and grace of Jesus that comes through repentance? For example, in this passage the crowds were accused of saying to themselves, “We have Abraham as our father” as a reason for the salvation they would receive. Do I do the same in any way? Do I rely on performance and a good reputation? Going to church or ‘good’ activities like serving others, etc.. to justify myself? Take time in prayer to lay your heart bare before the Father in repentance and receive His mercy and grace. Receive the fruit of joy that comes when we are set free.

To approach - Luke 3:10-18

There is a joy that comes from the freedom Christ brings - a natural repentance we see here commanded and in Luke 19 lived out with Zaccheus. When was the last time you felt this sort of joy as you approached Jesus? What led up to that experience of joy in His presence? How did His joy and freedom transform you as a result?

To thank - Isaiah 12:2-6

Do I really think Jesus is enough - the greatest gift? Does thankfulness abide in my heart or am I always hoping for more, for Jesus AND _____? Take time to think about who He is and what He has done. Worship Him in thanksgiving and make room for joy to abound with gratitude within you until you want to shout in joy, praise, worship, and thanksgiving. “For the Lord, the LORD himself, is my strength and my song!”

To receive - Zephaniah 3:14-15

What would it feel like to have no fear? What does it feel like to have know freedom and forgiveness in my life? Have I received His forgiveness that removes my punishment? Have I received the joy and freedom that comes with His freedom? Take time to receive His freedom, His forgiveness, and His joy today.

To share - Zephaniah 3:16-18

Who do I know that needs to hear “Do not fear?” Who do I know that needs to know the extravagant love of God in verse 17 - the warrior that saves, the rejoicing One full of gladness and joy, the One whose love quiets the anxieties of life, the One who delights in His children and sings songs of love and joy over them. Pray for the people who come to mind that the Lord would reveal Himself this way and they would come to know or recall the joy of their salvation. Ask the Lord if there are any words or encouragements you could share with them today.

To hold - Zephaniah 3:19-20

When we behold who God is - his greatness, faithfulness, love, etc…, we find our own brokenness more evident. Behold Him today. If things arise to repent of, do so, seeking His forgiveness in light of who He is and the joy of Christ we can have in every circumstance.

To consume - Philippians 4:4-7

Today, we prepare our hearts to partake in communion - we stop to reflect on the cost of the cross: Jesus’ body broken and blood poured out, paying this great cost ;’for the joy set before Him. Take time to reflect on the joy set before us: The Lord is near. Rejoice in the Lord always.

To examine - Psalm 80:1-7

When we know the love of God, His heart for us, and His ways driven by love, our questions quiet. As we read last week, “He quiets us with His love” (Zeph 3:17). What are questions I ask Him similar to the psalmist, “How long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?” Be honest with yourself, and with God. Write down the ones that come to mind. Surrender them to the Lord. Then pause: What would it look like for the love of God to flood this area of my heart and life? How can I see His love already at work in my life, quieting these questions I’ve given to Him?

To approach - Micah 5:2-5

How do I approach this King - the One who reigns in the strength of the Lord? When I ground myself in His love, His plan that dates to His origin from antiquity, do I approach the Lord differently?

To thank - Luke 1:46-49

The Lord does not despise our lowly states. As Mary sings, “He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His servant.” What kind of Love is this? For all He has done for us, in our own lowly states, take time to magnify the Lord in thanksgiving and praise.

To receive - Luke 1:50-52

How does God meet me in His mercy? Can I see His mercy in the lives of my family - the generations before, my generation, the generations after me? Where do I need to receive more of His mercy in my heart and life? Take time to receive His mercy, His lovingkindness today.

To share - Luke 1:53-55

Who do I know or pass in a day who needs to know this great love of God? Are there spiritually hungry people in my life who need to hear the gospel? Are there physically hungry people I could care for today and give food, a coat, hats and gloves? Pray that God would open your eyes to the opportunity He has for you today to share His love with someone else - whether it is a spoken word of His love and hope, a hug to the broken or lonely, or help to fill a tangible need they have today. Pray that God would give you the grace and boldness to respond to this prompting with obedience. Walk ready to stop for the one He puts in your path today to love.

To hold - Luke 1:39-45

When we behold who God is - his greatness, faithfulness, love, etc…, we find our own brokenness more evident. Behold Him today. If things arise to repent of, do so, seeking His forgiveness in light of who He is and His great lovingkindness towards us. May our response sound like Elizabeth when she is blessed by the faithfulness of God in her life. Our lowly state does not prevent His perfect faithfulness in our lives.

To consume - Hebrews 10:5-10

Today, we prepare our hearts to partake in communion - we stop to reflect on the cost of the cross: Jesus’ body broken and blood poured out. He came to do the will of the Father. As John wrote so famously, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, emphasis added). This is the love we enter into through the gospel. When we partake in communion, this is the love we are remembering - the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. What does this great love mean in my life today? How does this change how I go into my daily life?

To examine - (John 1:1-14)

Pause to reflect on this passage - He came into the world and dwelt among us - the Word of God who created all things. He is the light that darkness cannot overcome. Do I allow this passage to stir up wonder and reverence in me? If so, which parts? What moves you the most in this passage? Which passage(s) fills you with the most hope, the most peace, the most joy, the most love?

To approach - (Isaiah 9:2-7)

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,  Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace - This is who our God is. Is there one of these names that stands out the most to you? Is there one you find yourself needing Him to show Himself as the most in your life? Is there one of these names that is the easiest for you to approach Him as? Is there one that is the most challenging to approach Him as? Why?

To thank - (Psalm 96-98) 

Read through one, two, or all three of these Psalms and take time to praise the Lord, thanking Him for all He has done.

To receive - (Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7)

“For the grace of God has appeared…”

“But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared…”

He is our gift, our reward, our everything. Our forgiveness, our life, our hope, our peace, our joy, our love all comes through Him. Pause to receive your King today.

To share - (Isaiah 52:7-10, 62:6-12)

For those who receive this glorious gospel, we inherit the name: the Holy People, the LORD’s Redeemed, Cared For. Who do we know who needs to know they, too, are cared for? Who do we know that needs His redemption? Have you readied your feet to be beautiful - sandaled with the readiness for the gospel of peace? Who would the Lord have you share the Good News with today? This week? This next year? Pray that the Lord would ready your heart, your mouth, and your feet to share His gospel. Pray that this next year would be a year of harvest in your life and the lives of His Church.

To hold - (Hebrews 1:1-4)

When we behold who God is - his greatness, faithfulness, love, etc…, we find our own brokenness more evident. Behold Him today. If things arise to repent of, do so, seeking His forgiveness in light of who He is and the glory of God that has come into the world today. On this day, we celebrate His birth, as we also recall His life, death, and resurrection. We fix our eyes on Him and pray with the Spirit and the Bride, “Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!”

To consume - (Luke 2:1-20)

Read the birth of Jesus, rejoice with the angels and the shepherds at the Good News for ALL people. As you are able, partake in a moment of prayer or communion with your family, embracing the gift of Jesus.