Monday December 01st
Hello and welcome to Bay Family Adventures, as we countdown until Christmas Day, we will be spending time thinking about the Christmas story and drawing near to God together. Each week we will look at a different theme and this week we will be thinking about hope.
Let’s start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Lord Jesus, we open our minds to learn new things, so that we know more about You. We open our hearts to be filled with Your love, so that we become more like You. And we open our hands to receive all we need to live our lives for You.
Father God, as we draw near to You, please draw near to us too. Teach us to pray. Speak, Lord, we’re listening.
God please help us remember our memory verse for this week:
Psalm 27:14 (NCV)
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord
Today we are reflecting on one of God’s promises to His people when they were far from home and finding life really hard. Even then, God wanted them to know that He still had good plans for them.
Jeremiah 29:11
I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.”
When God’s people were living in another country, they wondered if God had forgotten them. But God told them He had not. Even when life feels confusing, God still has a plan — and God tells his people through the prophet Jeremiah that his plan for them is one that if full of hope, and it is a future that’s worth the wait!
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question which is: who are we looking forward to seeing this Christmas? Maybe it’s a friend or family member you haven’t seen for a long time. What are you hoping your time together will be like?
Pause the player here.
And now let’s ask God to help us.
Father God, thank You that You have good plans for us. Help us to trust You, even when we don’t understand what’s happening. Please fill us with hope that You are always working for our good.
Help us to trust that our future with you is the most exciting thing possible.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NCV)
I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.”
What word or phrase stood out from today’s bible verses? Pause the player here.
And now let’s say yes to God.
Lord, we say yes to trusting Your good plans for our lives, even when we can’t see the full picture yet. We say Yes to the future you have for us and pray that you will help guide us towards that future.
After enjoying this time together, lets’ say our memory verse one more time:
Psalm 27:14 (NCV)
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Let’s point to our mouths.
Lord, please give us the right words and be encouraged to say them.
Amen.