Monday, December 3, 2018
At EACF we've been using the G.R.O.W. rubric to ask God to teach us through His word. We'll use that for this Advent devotional series as well.
PRAY and ask God to meet you and teach you as you read His word today.
READ Revelation 1. Meditate on John's encounter with Jesus and how John "fell at his feet as though dead" (17).
REFLECT
Most people read the Gospels for Advent, reviewing the stories of Jesus' first coming. I'm glad the two-year Bible reading plan I've been recommending at church brings us to Revelation (technically starting December 10). Advent is also about Christians looking forward to the second coming of Jesus and the rest of the work that God has promised to do.
God - What does God teach us about Himself through this text? The image of Jesus here strikes fear in John's soul, but Jesus reaches out to him ("laid his right hand of me") and says "fear not." What words would you use to describe God here?
Redeems - How does God work in our lives? Jesus mentions, "I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades" (18). What has God done on behalf of mankind?
Our - What is our identity as highlighted here? John's reaction and Jesus' response help us think about our relationship to God.
World - How is God calling us to share His grace with the world? John is given this vision (and gives it to us) to share with others. We must help others expect Jesus' return and anticipate the coming judgment.
RESPOND
God, help us to see you more fully, more clearly, without the filters that our sin and self-centeredness impose. And use us to share the message of Jesus' grace to us and His call to turn to You, because He will return. During this Advent season, help us to grasp what it means to expect Jesus to come again.
No comments:
Post a Comment