7th Week Advent Mark

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Click on the Week's Title, 7th Week Advent Mark, for Introductory Video

Monday, Advent Prayer

An Advent Prayer for the Lord to Come by Renee Swope
This Advent, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Fill me with Your presence from the very start.
As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given,
 Remind me of the gift You gave when You sent Your Son from Heaven.
The first Christmas gift, it was the greatest gift ever.
You came as a aby born in a manger.
Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree.
Waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me. 
Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus’ birth.
When he left the riches of heaven and wrapped Himself in rugs of earth. 
Immanuel, God with Us, Your presence came that night. 
And angels announced, “Into your darkness, God brings His Light.”
“Do not be afraid,” they said, to shepherds in the field.
 Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield.
Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to your call.
Setting distractions and worries aside, to You I surrender them all.
Surround me with your presence, Lord, I long to hear Your voice.
Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise. 
Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush.
In the midst of parties and planning, I want to feel Your hush.
This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart.
Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part.
Dwell within and around me, as I unwrap Your presence each day.
Keep me close to You, Lord, It’s in Your wonderful Name I pray.  AMEN


Tuesday, Mark's Introduction
Mark Intro
Tanya Ruden

Mark was written by John Mark. He was a Jew and was not one of the 12 disciples, but he did accompany Paul on his first missionary journey. The book was probably the first Gospel written. The other Gospels quote all but 31 verses of Mark. This book records more miracles than any other Gospel.

Mark 10:45 states, “for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” This is the message of Mark. It was written to encourage Roman Christians and to prove beyond a doubt that Jesus is the Messiah. Mark presents a rapid succession of vivid pictures of Jesus in action-his true identity revealed by what He does, not necessarily by what He says. It is Jesus on the move.

Mark takes us directly into Jesus’ public ministry. We see Jesus confronting a demon, healing a leper, and forgiving and healing the paralytic lowered into Jesus’ presence by friends. The book continues with Jesus’ teachings and the commissioning of the disciples to spread the Good News everywhere. 

Jesus continued on the move feeding 5,000 and reaching out to all. The book climaxes with the Last Supper, the betrayal, crucifixion and resurrection.  Mark shows us Jesus — moving, serving, sacrificing, and saving!!! As you read Mark, be ready for action, be open for God’s move into your life, and be challenged to move into your world to serve.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, may the Holy Spirit move in our hearts as we read and digest the book of Mark. May we remind ourselves of the miracles Jesus did and how He came to save the loss. I pray that we would be moved to serve others in some special way during our study. We look forward to walking the steps that Jesus walked. Oh how we love HIM. AMEN


Wednesday, Mark Chapter 1
Mark 1
Verses 16-18
Tanya Ruden

Verses 16-18: As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men,” At once they left their nets and followed him.

THOUGHT
One thing that always amazed me was how eager the disciples were to follow Jesus. As Mark states, Jesus calls His first disciples, and they leave their nets and go. How many of us would ever do this, even in our daily lives? Can you imagine leaving your profession, your family, your future plans you had to follow Jesus — to allow Him to guide your life, no looking back or hesitation? 

I can’t imagine this. The accountant in me is organized and analytical. I would have to graph the effects and think it through.  That is not really a good example of faith. Doesn’t God call us to live as the disciples — giving our lives to Him to guide and to do with what He wishes? May we have faith like the disciples to follow Jesus — and fish for men.

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, give us faith to live our lives fully surrendered to You. May we be like the disciples, and when You call us, we listen and are anxious to stop what we are doing and follow You. Help us to be spontaneous in our lives, knowing our best laid plans aren’t necessarily Your plans. AMEN


Thursday, Isaiah 9:2-7
Isaiah 9
Verse 2
Jeanie Boldt

Verse 2:  The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.

Guess who the light is? JESUS our BEST friend and Savior.

THOUGHT
In a time of great darkness, God promised to send a light who would shine on everyone living in the shadow of death. He is both ‘Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God’.  This message of hope was fulfilled in the birth of Christ and the establishment of the eternal kingdom. He came to deliver all people from their slavery to sin. 

I couldn’t help but think we all have our periods of darkness. Have you noticed when we turn to the Lord, our Savior, the light comes on and the darkness is no longer present? Alleluia, we have our Friend who carries us at that time. We never have to look for the light switch either. Jesus is there at our finger tips no matter where we are or no matter when. 

The verses in Isaiah remind me of the Christmas story. I love them. Plus, have you noticed how many verses are familiar? Isaiah is used a lot for teaching the Word. No matter where you are, I know you are not in the dark. I know you are all in the light of the Lord’s glow.

PRAYER
Father God, I offer prayers of Thanksgiving for the giving of Your Son as the light of the world.  We stumble each and every day. Thank You for making the way at least as visible as possible with Your light and guidance. May we share that light with others and pray that it generates from our actions and words.  We give You our lives and the control of them.  We love You, Jesus, our light.  AMEN


Friday, Quiet Time
Be Still and know that He is with you.  Prepare for Advent!!  


 




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