Father, help us to remember that each day is a time for new beginnings, each moment an opportunity to change. Remind us that the only resolution we need to make is to follow you. Nothing else is as important. Amen
3 John 3 (NIV)
It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.
I have heard it said many times that we are being watched. May our Christian walk and witness be more Christlike with each passing day. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)
Acts 4:11-12 (NIV)
Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Today’s Passage: Luke 2:41-52
Opening Prayer: We often lead very busy lives, but can you imagine not knowing where your child was for a day or so? I can’t. But you may have read of something similar happening to Mary and Joseph, with Jesus, in today’s passage. It seems there are fewer and fewer safe places for our children to roam, and learn, and play. Father God, may we create places in our neighborhoods, communities, schools, and churches that are safe places for children to be free to explore. It doesn’t happen by chance; may You use us to make it so. Jesus wanted to learn more about His future, His life’s journey. He knew where to go to learn more. For us, sometimes we wander, seemingly lost. May the paths we take and the dreams we follow lead us to You – the source of knowledge and wisdom. Prepare us for our journey and guide us along the way. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Opening Song: Nichole Nordeman – Holy (Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yISuxYYOtws
Message [used with permission from A Sermon for Every Sunday]: Jesus Gets Grounded – Rev. Mandy England Cole
The Rev. Mandy England Cole preaches a sermon from Luke 2:41-52 called “Jesus Gets Grounded.” She begins: “Have you ever wondered if Jesus had to sit in timeout as a toddler, if he ever had to stay behind at school and write sentences on the chalkboard, if he was ever grounded as a teenager?” When she asked her own twelve-year-old why this story is included in the Gospel he said, “Because he was choosing the church on his own for the first time, and why wouldn’t they include that in the story?” Oh, the wisdom of a twelve-year-old!
or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4N2loGH61s
Closing Song: Nichole Nordeman – Dear Me (Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGfawtmZBbk
Closing Prayer: When we first came to a saving faith in Christ, we came as a child. We needed to be fed. We needed to grow. As we travel along in life, we experience many things. We make choices and we learn. This is true for our spiritual life as well as our physical life. Father God, may we continue to grow in the knowledge of You. May we become wise. May we testify of You by who we are becoming and by what we do in this world. All this and more, in the Holy name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Luke 2:49b (NIV)
“Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
Jesus, even as a boy, desired to be with His Father and to do His will. However, sometimes as we seek to do the will of our heavenly Father, we can become distracted. May we be able to focus on those things that God has uniquely gifted us to do for Him and to advance His kingdom. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)
Father, through your son we have our salvation. Help us to remember Jesus’ examples and teachings are what you want us to follow. Guide us on the path that he showed us through his words and actions and help us to follow his leading. Amen
Matthew 2:20b (NIV)
“Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”
God speaks to His people in many ways; sometimes through people, or the Bible, or circumstances, or angels, or dreams… and more. If we will allow Him to guide us, He will be with us even through the darkest times that this broken world may place before us. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)
Luke 2:14 (CEV)
“Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.”
Luke 2:38b (NIV)
Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Anna had experienced the loss of her husband. As an old woman, her focus was on worshipping the Lord. May we, in loss or in plenty, make the worship of the Lord our focus. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)
Christ’s peace can permeate any heart – hearts that are troubled, burdened with grief, confused and pleading for help. Thomas S. Monson
(https://aletterfromhome.wordpress.com/2017/01/22/christs-peace/)
Faithfully Yours Forever 