Expectation . . . Advent 2009

Connected Love

2009-12-25T07:09:00.001-08:00

Advent Focus

Love

Meditate

Luke not only wrote about the in-breaking of God into the daily life of humanity

but also about the individuals who participated in the God-event.

The story of Christ, God with us, would not be the same without

Joseph, Mary, the shepherds, and others.

Their legacy, recorded in the scriptures, powerfully demonstrates

how humanity is given the opportunity

to participate and engage with the activity of God in this world.

Luke 2:5-12

He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Pray with Expectation

Breath prayer: Connected Love

Indwelling Love

2009-12-24T00:02:00.000-08:00

Advent Focus

Love

Meditate

God made his dwelling with us . . . there is no greater love . . . than Immanuel, God with us.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only [Son], who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Pray with Expectation

Pray with expectation: Indwelling Love.

Continual Love

2009-12-23T00:30:00.000-08:00

Advent Focus

Love

Meditate

God, who created the universe, gave up everything that we may live in His love by sending His Son. The love of God is not a-one-time gift but an ongoing-active -continual gift.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

See also: Ephesians 2:3-5; 1 John 5:2

Pray with expectation.

Breath prayer: Continually in Your Love.

Convinced

2009-12-22T00:32:00.000-08:00

Advent Focus

Love

Meditate

Are you convinced that the love of God is more powerful than anything or anyone? Does your life reveal that you are convinced?

Meditate on what it means to be convinced that God sent His Son out of the power of love.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

See also: Ephesians 3:16-18; 2 Corinthians 5:13-15

Pray with expectation.

Breath prayer: Convinced of Your Love

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Into the Path of Peace

2009-12-11T05:23:00.001-08:00

Focus

Peace

What can be done in times of darkness and in the shadow of death?
Be still.
Know the presence of God.

Ask for guidance into the path of peace.

Listen to the Spirit of God.
Go into the path of peace.

Meditate

. . . To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." Luke 1:79

See also: Acts 9:31; Colossians 1:20

Pray with expectation.

Breath prayer: Into the path of peace.

Unshakeable Peace

2009-12-10T06:17:00.001-08:00

Focus

Peace

Though the world around us is shaken with problems and crisis, we can be assured of God’s covenant of peace. Through the strength of living in the peace of Christ, we can refuse to be personally shaken. Regardless of what circumstance comes into our life . . . respond through unshakeable peace of Christ.

Meditate

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

See also: Numbers 25:12; Malachi 2:5

Pray with expectation.

Breath prayer: Unshakeable peace.

Establish Peace

2009-12-09T22:29:00.000-08:00

Focus

Peace

When we invite Christ into the journey of life, we are given eyes to see that God is always with us. God is not separate . . . not somewhere far off . . . but with us . . . we are not alone. We do not need to strive for peace or try to make peace happen; Christ will establish peace for us.

Meditate

LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us. Isaiah 26:12

Pray with expectation.

Breath prayer: Establish Peace.

Peace Like a River

2009-12-08T00:02:00.000-08:00

Focus

Peace

Are you anxious? Are you worried? Are you stressed? God promises to extend peace like a river. Through Christ, we receive holy peace, which flows through us like clear-pure-flowing waters.

Meditate

For this is what the LORD says: "I will extend peace to her like a river . . . (Isaiah 66:12)

Never Ending Peace

2009-12-07T00:03:00.000-08:00

Focus

Peace

Christ, God with us, came to give humanity peace . . . shalom . . . well-being. Healing of the mind, heart, and soul occurs through receiving the never-ending-life-giving peace of Christ.

Meditate

Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:7

See Also: Psalm 29:11; Luke 1:79

Pray with expectation.

Breath prayer: Living in Your never-ending Peace.

Not consumed . . . because of Hope

2009-12-04T00:03:00.000-08:00

Focus

Hope

Hope is necessary topress on. Without hope, life is dark and becomes impossible. Hope brings lightwith the view of possibilities.

Meditate

Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD'sgreat love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail. Lamentations3:21-22

Also:

Psalm 130:7; Psalm 56:13

Pray with expectation.

Breath prayer: Not consumed . . .because of Hope.

Receiving Hope

2009-12-03T00:03:00.000-08:00

Focus

Hope

We are created with a plan of hope . . . to engage, participate, and live in hope . . . through the empowerment of the Spirit of God.

Meditate

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Also:

Psalm 40:5; Isaiah 55:8

Pray with expectation

Breath prayer: Receiving Hope.

Waiting in Hope . . . Day 4

2009-12-02T00:03:00.000-08:00

Focus

Hope

Waiting and hope are linked by trust. Often there is a significant space between our request and an apparent divine answer. We are empowered to soar as on wings like eagles as we place our hope in Christ, rather than in a circumstance.

Meditate

. . . But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Also:

Luke 18:1; 2 Corinthians 4:1

Pray with expectation

Breath prayer: Waiting in Hope.

Freed through Hope . . . Day 3

2009-12-01T00:03:00.000-08:00

Focus

Hope

Christ, God with us, is the Message of hope, freeing humanity to live fully and wholly. Hope in the Message is restorative and healing.

Meditate

[ The Year of the LORD 's Favor ] The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners . . . Isaiah 61:1

Also:

Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:17-19

Pray with expectation

Breath prayer: Freed through Hope.

Revealed Hope . . . Day 2

2009-11-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

Focus

Hope

Whom shall you fear? To have hope we must see beyond the darkness of the world. Intentionally turn your eyes toward the Light.

Meditate

The LORD is my light and my salvation—
       whom shall I fear?
       The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
       of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Also:

Revelation 7:17; Revelation 21:4

Pray with expectation

Breath prayer: Reveal Hope.

Walking In Hope . . . Day 1

2009-11-29T20:36:00.001-08:00

Focus

Hope

The prophet Isaiah spoke to the people in an era of discouragement. He gave hope to the people with the promise of a Savior . . . a Light dawning . . . a Light on the horizon of the future.

Meditate

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

Also:

Matthew 4:16; Luke 2:32

Pray with expectation

Breath prayer: Walking in Hope

Expectation . . . Week One

2009-11-29T20:00:00.000-08:00

Focus

Hope

Meditate

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

Pray with expectation

Hope is an expectant trust for things that have not yet happened.

Expectation . . . Advent 2009

2009-11-29T19:22:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming.

Meditate . . . intentionally making this a time of expectation in faith.

Expectantly pray . . . believing God is the God of more.

Focus

Week 1: Hope (Isaiah 9:2)

Week 2: Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Week 3: Joy (Luke 2:8-11)

Week 4: Love (John 3:16)

Pray with expectation

The Hebrew word “ruah” and the Greek word “pneuma” are translated as “breath” or the “spirit” of God. Surrender is key in prayer . . . the posture of prayer is one of surrender . . . "I surrender" becomes a simple and powerful breath prayer.

~Pray with expectancy through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.

~Experience the simplicity and power of breath praying.

~Become still and know the presence of God. Simplify your prayer to a few words that can be prayed throughout the day.

~Take note of how breathing is referred to in the scriptures.

Meditate

Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7)

Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (John 20:21-23)

As you wait for Christmas

Expectantly meditate on Scripture and focus on the message.

Pray the breath prayer with expectation.

Live in expectation . . . God is the God of more.