Jesus:  All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.       (Matthew 28:18)
 
To God’s elect … who have been chosen … for obedience to Jesus Christ …       (1 Peter 1:1-2)

During this Advent season, I’d like to focus each week on one word associated with Jesus Christ. This week’s word is authority, which means the right and power to command obedience. As I read through the gospels this fall, following my Bible-reading plan, I was struck by the frequent references to Jesus’ authority. People were amazed at the authority of his teaching, for example. He demonstrated authority to heal diseases and forgive sins. Do I recognize Jesus’ authority? I picture myself as an army private receiving an order from my commanding officer. Would I dare offer the same excuses I (too often) give Jesus? I’ll think about it …  I can’t because … I don’t really want to … Now, Jesus is not a surly drill sergeant ready to throw me in the brig for the slightest infraction. He is my gentle and humble Shepherd, motivated by love. Nevertheless, my disobedience brings negative consequences. He may bring painful circumstances into my life as a form of discipline. I will certainly miss the spiritual growth he has in mind for me. My faith becomes flabby. During this Christmas season when Jesus is depicted as a helpless baby in a manger, meditate on his authority. In his presence, explicitly acknowledge his authority in your life.
 
Here are other ideas for praying this week:

1.  Pray for the children who sang in church Sunday and their families.

 
2.  A reader of the blog contributed this verse, noting that it gave her great comfort during a hard time of life:  For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  (Isaiah 41:13) Pray this verse for someone you know who is walking through a trial.
 
3.  Praise God that Greg Hodgson has been able to transition to the portable Freedom Driver to power his artificial heart, which has permitted him to leave the hospital for brief excursions. Pray that he can be released from the hospital to a nearby apartment soon.
 
4.  Christmastime gives us many opportunities to build bridges to the lives of people around us who don’t know Christ:  an open house for neighbors, a note of appreciation in a Christmas card to the newspaper delivery lady, an invitation to a Calvary Christmas party extended to a friend or coworker. Ask the Lord to show you who He wants you to reach out to and how. Begin to pray for that person and move to obey the Lord’s command.
 
Thank you for praying for the guys of TLC last week. Please continue! (The link to their website in last week’s post didn’t work – hopefully this one will.) Also ask the Lord what you can do to help them know they are important to our church family. One idea is to come out to Christmas Eve breakfast at the TLC house. See the December Calvary e-communication for details.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert, Prayer Chair
Calvary Community Church of Brea