Worship Devotional CI
Originally posted to the Facebook group on 12/11/2021.
Worship Devotional for 12/12/21
John 1:1-18:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man named John who was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own people, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning Him and exclaimed, 'This was the One of whom I said, "The One coming after me has surpassed me, because He existed before me."') Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness, for the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son — the One who is at the Father's side — He has revealed Him."
Come and behold the wonderful mystery of the Messiah. In this advent (meaning "arrival") season, as we move from Thanksgiving to Christmas, we remember the prophecies that were spoken long ago by men called by God to speak His word among His people. We remember the cry of the psalmists and the prophets and all who longed for God's salvation, that He would come at last and fulfill His promises to save and to heal and to deliver. We lift our voices with the same heart of yearning and reverence, that God would break through the darkness — both around and within us — with His glorious light, reviving our hearts with the good news and the hope of the Son, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. And may we go forth into this broken world around us to share the gospel with the broken and the lost, for Christ has come indeed, and our salvation has already been accomplished. The victory has been won, and Christ Jesus our Lord is seated on the heavenly throne at the right hand of the Father! Now we wait in hope for His return when He will judge the world and bring all of us who have believed in Him home to eternal life in His glorious presence. Let's praise Him together as we remember the arrival of the King and the salvation, life, light, and hope that He has given us!
Isaiah 7:6-7:
"For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this."
Songs:
Theme(s): Advent, Birth of the Messiah, True and Eternal King, Light of the World, Living Word
Scripture references:
Genesis 49:10
Psalms 2, 22, 74, 80, 95-100, 110, 130, 132
Isaiah 7:13-14, 9:1-7, 11:1-10, 42:1-17, 49:1-13, 50:4-11, 51:1-11, 52:7-10, 60:1-6, 61-62
Micah 5:2-4
Matthew 1-2, 4:12-17, 11:25-30
Luke 1-2
John 1:1-36, 3:13-21 & 31-36, 8:12, 12:34-50
Romans 5:12-21
1 Corinthians 15
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Ephesians 3, 5:1-21
Colossians 1:9-14, 2:2-3
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Hebrews 1-2, 10:19-25
1 John 1, 5:6-13