Friday, December 4th

 

I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John… -- Luke 7:28

 

Today, at the end of the week of noticing people that Jesus misses most, it might be that we need to go back to go forward. We have had a great journey so far and along the way we have met many wonderful people. When was the last time you called one of them and were not in a hurry or in between meetings?

 

Jesus longest friend was his cousin John. He met John while in his mother Mary's womb. John spent his life serving Jesus and preparing the way for Jesus' ministry. Jesus knew this and appreciated all that John had done.

 

Today spend some time thinking about the people you have noticed in the past and have not fostered a relationship with. It could be a family member or an out of town friend. What would happen if you spent some time today noticing them anew? Give them a call or an email and practice some of the things we discussed earlier this week.

 

Call and ask them questions about their life. Be quiet and listen. If it seems natural, tell them you will pray for them; if not, then pray for them without mentioning it. When the conversation is over, schedule a time on your own to follow up with them. Write this down on your calendar. Then commit them to prayer.

Thursday, December 3rd

 

 

 

    12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. – John 15:11-13 NIV

 

Who was the first follower of Jesus to "notice you?" Many of us, before we started to really listen for God, had encounters with Christians that were strange. Maybe someone tried to get you saved, or tried to get you to Jesus and you found it strange or weird.

 

Then someone came along and noticed you. They spent less time telling you and more time showing you what Jesus was like. Spend some time today thinking of that person and how they were able to navigate the landmines. If you are able, considering giving them a call or sending them an email. You could thank them for their role in your journey. Then maybe ask them how they knew to notice you and be Jesus to you.

 

As you continue noticing people this week, you might be in a place where it is time to pick a couple of folks that you are going to go out of your way for. There are definitely the day-to-day new "notices". But hopefully, as you practice this exercise, someone will stand out. Someone you especially notice or someone that you feel God nudging you towards. If that is the case, start praying for ideas to spend time with them. Start making them a regular in your prayer life.

 

Take some time to think of the many ways that Jesus loved and loves you. What specifically can you do this day to emulate what He has done?

 

Wednesday, December 2nd

 

 

"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. – Mark 10:51

 

Jesus asks the blind man what he wants. The question itself is an act of humility and empowerment. Humility, in that Jesus did not assume that he knew what the man wanted. Empowerment, because it allowed the man to know that Jesus cared what he thought. By asking the question, Jesus allows the blind man to direct the conversation and eventually direct Jesus to his needs.

 

So many of us walk around wondering if anyone cares if anyone is listening. This day we should spend some time giving away what is most valuable to us: our time. Yesterday you spent some time noticing people; today give someone your time. Simply find someone and ask him or her how they are and stop and listen. Really listen: do not interrupt, do not talk or add your two cents. This is you giving yourself away, giving your presence to Jesus.

 

After your new friend is done talking and you have parted, spend some time praying for them. This is a "behind their backs" prayer. Their request may come from what they shared, or maybe from what they did not share. This is your gift to them right now, a time to intercede for them. You have access to the Father, the creator of the universe. Bring your new friend to the feet of Him whom you love. Ask God what you are supposed to do with the information that you have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, December 1st

 

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said…. – Luke 19:5

 

Jesus was always on the lookout for people even when they were hiding in trees. This famous passage of scripture where Zaccheus is trying to see Jesus and Jesus spots him in a tree is funny in many ways. It would have been the way of the famous or the celebrity to just keep walking. Jesus was both famous and a celebrity, yet he was interested in this small man, and he is interested in the people that you run across today.

 

After yesterday's adventure, what did you notice, who did you notice? Do the same thing that you did yesterday. As you go about your everyday activities, take time to notice people. What are they doing, what are they reading? What are they listening to? Notice them and pay attention to them.

 

What do you think their struggles are? What would they do if they met Jesus? What extreme measures are they doing to get their spiritual needs met?

 

Then spend some time in prayer. Ask God to help you see as He sees, to notice what is important.

 

 

Monday November 30

He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" -- Mark 5:30

Jesus was in the Noticing business. He noticed everything and everyone around Him. This includes a woman who touched his garment while a crowd was pushing him around. We live lives that are incredibly busy and fast-paced. This week, you are challenged to spend some time noticing people. Spend some time paying attention to the people who do not normally get your attention. Jesus asked us over and over again in his teachings to pay attention to the least of these. Mother Teresa told Shane Claiborne when he was visiting her to go and find his own Calcutta and she also referred to loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted as the most terrible poverty.

If we agree with her, then how do we address the poverty of loneliness in our own Calcutta? We address it by noticing those around us, by paying attention.

So this day, as a gift to Jesus for His Birthday, notice five people that you have not noticed before. Pay attention at work. On the bus ride, while picking up your kids from school, while walking your dog. Notice the people around you and pray this prayer:

God, you created this person in your image. What is it that you want me to notice about them, what makes them unique? God, give me eyes to see them as you do. Help me to see what it is that they are in need of; help me to see them as your beloved child.

Introduction to Week 1 Giving the Gift of Presence

Jesus' parting words at Pentecost call the followers of Jesus to be a people sent as they look toward the future. He said:

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

-- Acts 1:8

The early church knew that they were called to be Jesus' witnesses, but many of us have forgotten this or have misunderstood what he meant. The words "be a witness" or the verb "to witness" conjure up all sorts of images when we hear them. For the most part, they conjure up negative images of someone arguing with another person. For some reason, we equate witnessing to arguing when in fact the only people that Jesus argued with were religious people. When it came to regular people, Jesus was very intentional and patient. He listened to their questions and he prayed for them. He found out their needs and addressed them. He was much more in the inviting business and much less in the convincing business.

During this first week of Advent, we are going to give Jesus the gift of our presence. We are going to give our attention and time to others in the hope that as we do so for the least of these, we are giving to Jesus.

Introduction to Advent Reader 2009

This year, after acknowledging that Christmas is not our birthday, we are asking the question: “What do we give Jesus for Christmas?” So many times we spend Advent and Christmas preparing to enhance our own lives. We focus in on our tribe, those who we call family and friends. We shop, eat and party with them knowing that we will have fun and enjoy the time both by giving and receiving. This year, we are looking to expand the celebration.

In Matthew 25, Jesus teaches us that whatever we do for others, we are doing for him. When we help others, when we serve others, we are loving and serving Jesus. This Advent we will focus in on five gifts that we will give Jesus during our time of celebration:

Our Presence: Following the example of the Shepherds

Our Treasure: The three wise men taught us much

Our Talents: You are valuable, now go and serve Him

Our Love: A mother’s heart

Our Life: A look at John preparing the Way

The hope this Advent season is that we will together as a community spend our time giving to Jesus as a way of preparing for the coming King in whom our hope rests.

Peace,

Pastor Edwin

Advent 2009