Advent 2018 – Day Seven – Bring me to life

It is one of the wonders of nature that a tree cut to a stump close to the ground will often sprout new shoots and burst back into life.

In our lesson today the prophet Jeremiah draws on that imagry to prophesy the re-invigoration of the nation through the coming of The Messiah.

My song for today is Bring me to life by Evanescence

“Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life”

We are at a time when church attendances in general are falling and we naturally worry over the future of our own churches.

I feel it is often good to remind ourselves that it is God’s church and not “ours”. That he has a vision and a purpose for his church and we are called to listen to him to understand what that is.

It is also true but can be painful, that sometimes we are called to give up things in-order to stimulate new growth. Our challenge is to be stimulated by the problem and not to be worn down and depressed by it. We seek God’s inspiration and when we find it, like the stump bursting back into life we will see new flourishing growth.

In our passage today Jeremiah prophesies the coming of the one who would do what is just and right. This is also a challenge to all of us to live our own lives doing what is just and right.

I once read that the only Bible some will experience is in observing how we as Christians live.

What a challenge for us all. I pray that this Advent time we embrace that challenge once again with joy and enthusiasm held tight by the one who always does what is true and right.

Jeremiah 33:14-16 New International Version – UK

‘“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will fulfil the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.

‘“In those days and at that time
I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line;
he will do what is just and right in the land.

In those days Judah will be saved
and Jerusalem will live in safety.
This is the name by which it will be called:
The Lord Our Righteous Saviour.”

 

Prayers and Reflection

Helpful Hymn:

Hymn: Singing the Faith No: 91 – “The God of Abraham Praise ”

Contemplation saying.

“he will do what is just and right…”.

Let us pray together.

Contemplative Prayer.

Think of the saying in order to understand context and meaning,

Feel the meaning of the saying with and in your heart,

Pray, using the saying, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers.

Listen for God’s voice in the quiet of your prayers.

Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.

Twitter Prayer

.Loving God, I pray that I may always strive to do what is just and right. Amen.

Facebook Prayer

.Loving God, I thank you that I have a place in your Salvation story. Help me to open wide my life to provide opportunities for you to come into the lives of those around me. May my words and actions always speak of your love. Amen.

Full Prayer

Loving God, we thank you that you are always here with us and we are always in fellowship with you.

As we live our lives we thank you that we can make opportunities for you to come into others lives.

Lord, we pray for the revival of your church.

In this season of Advent may we listen for your word to us that we may hear where you would have us focus our resources and energy.

Give us a passion for speaking your Good News to the world around us. Help us to sparkle and shine in the power of your Holy Spirit. Let us spend and be spent for you. Amen.