ADVENT DEVOTIONAL – 12/4/18

Silence and Centering – 2 MINUTES

Prayer For Presence: “Lord manifest your presence to us, that we would experience your nearness and power.”

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4

Devotional:

“Where is the God of justice?” (Malachi 2:17). Will
God ever vindicate truth, goodness, and justice
in this world? Why do so many who do evil claim
that God is blessing them?

ADVENT- The messenger of the covenant tells us that the
Lord bears witness against all who manipulate
spiritual power. The Lord exposes our disloyalty,
our lies, and our injustice toward one another.
The Lord cannot tolerate employers who pay
their workers unfairly. The Lord brings judgment
against communities that “thrust aside” aliens and
ignore the plight of single parents and orphans
(Malachi 3:5).

These words are like refining fire and cleansing
soap. We cannot escape their purifying work. Yet
as the Lord purifies and refines us, we become
priests of God and temples of the Holy Spirit. And
as the Lord purifies and refines us, truth, goodness,
and justice are vindicated in this world. But this
only happens in and through us

Space For Reflection:  (Which word or phrase stands out to you. What might God be saying to you?)

The Our Father (slowly pray this)
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever, Amen.

2 Minutes – Conclude With Silence