Nov 26 Mon- John 1

Nov 27 Tues- Romans 7

Nov 28 Wed - Mark 1

Nov 29 Thr– Mt 25

Nov 30 Fri- John 15

Dec 1 Sat – Luke 10

PRAYER: A - Adoration(prayer of centering; focus on God's goodness)

C - Confession(prayer of repentance and asking for God's forgiveness)

T - Thanksgiving(prayer of gratefulness, content, joy, avoiding pessimism)

S - Supplication(prayer for others; then pray for yourself)

S - STOPand listen... give God some time to speak to you--- end with the LORD'S PRAYER

Where to begin: What's the state of your soul today? Who is going to heaven because of you?

A. Christmas (like life) can be so cluttered-chaotic that we miss the real gifts

- John 1:10, "...but the world did not recognize the Light/Him"; Why not?

- world does not recognize God, because we are distracted by many things

- a world of distractions (How easily are you distracted away from God?)

1. Money; 2. Media; 3. When "God" (or Christians) let you down; 4. When people you love let you down; 5. Inflexible routines; 6. Work; 7. Sports/recreation

2. If it's "normal" to struggle with experiencing God and His abundance because of all that is listed above, what is a possible solution in your own life?

B. Solution begins by Confessing Real Problem = Our Sinful Nature (human condition)

a. Rom 7:15-24, "It wages war in my mind... and I am miserable"

b. Normal to Struggle with "flesh-blood" (how you live vs. what you know)

- Rom 7:25, there is victory in Jesus Christ (a differentWay/narrow Path)

C. 2ndStep = "Prepare the Way" - the message of John the Baptist

- Mark 1:1-4 - '"Prepare the way of the Lord" - why is this in the Bible?

a. Pathos - nature of the audience (must be prepared/ready to receive)

b. Examples: Thanksgiving Dinner, Standing in Line at Disney, Driving...

- Being "mentally prepared" makes all the difference in the world

- Mt 25:1-5, Parable of the Bridesmaids

1) Those who were not prepared "missed out"...

D. "Preparethe Way of the Lord" = Call for Christmas + all life = Jesus = The Way

- What difference would it make, to truly be prepared to meet Jesus:

a. For you (+ your family) to meet Jesus: On Christmas Day (this year)?

b. For you (+ your family) to meet Jesus: Daily? Every Sunday? In 2019?

c. For you (+ your family) to meet Jesus: End of your life?

- 2 Types of People (Mt 25): Bridesmaids who were ready; those who were not

a. Which type of person do you want to be? Why? Why not?

E. John's message was necessary because God knows we (humans) will only receive the blessings God offers (in Jesus) in proportion to how our lives are

prepared and ready to receive Him and what He has to say/offer

F. John 1:1-10, "The light shines in the darkness, yet the world did not know, recognize, or receive Him." VS. To receive Him? Prepare the Way of the Lord.

- Lk 10:38-42 - Martha was preparing (almost missed out); Mary was prepared.

- Who will you choose to be this Christmas Season?

Tomorrow? Next Week? Next Year? Your life?