Matthew 27:46 (NIV) About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani

Acts 13:42-48 (NIV) CONTEXT: Paul & Barnabas preached the gospel in a synagogue in Antioch, and the people there invited them back to preach the following week. 42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue  On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw Summary Verse 44 is every preacher's dream - that the entire city would show up to listen. We picked up our reading today at verse 42.

John 6:35-40 (NIV) 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” 41 Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 43 “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. 44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who

3 and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 Six days prior, Jesus was with His disciples in Caesarea Philippi, and Peter had testified that Jesus Deuteronomy 18:15; Malachi 4:5).

Isaiah 44:21–28 (NIV) 21 “Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. Summary Isaiah 44:24 begins with the words “This is what the LORD says”.

As you begin a new year, find peace by keeping these two commands God gives you in Isaiah 46: Remember

Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 45 Q.

Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 41 Q.

Merry Christmas! Here's a morbid reminder that will bring you comfort! Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 127 Q. What does the sixth request mean? A. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” means, By ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment. And our sworn enemies— the devil, the world, and our own flesh— never stop attacking us. And so, Lord, uphold us and make us strong with the strength of your Holy Spirit, so that we may not go down to defeat in this spiritual struggle, but may firmly resist our enemies until we finally win the complete victory. Summary A voice tells the prophet to "cry out," and when Isaiah asks what he is to proclaim, he's told to announce what ought to be obvious: that life is fleeting. What's here today is gone tomorrow. Just like the grass and flowers of the field radiate beauty for a moment, before quickly disintegrating to nothing, so it is with our lives. The same breath of the Lord that gave us life also blows it away. This proclamation that ought to be obvious ends up hitting most people like a ton of bricks. If you're reading this, it means you've done a pretty good job at surviving. Somehow you've figured out how to make it to another day, and by using the skills and talents you've developed over the years, it's quite likely that you'll be able to survive tomorrow and into the foreseeable future as well. This feeling of self-sufficiency numbs us to the transient reality of life, that the day will come in which, just like last year's landscaping, we'll wither and fall away. While it's good to be reminded of our mortality, that's not the reason the prophet is instructed to make this proclamation. All people know they're going to die at some point; they don't need a prophet to inform them of that. Dig Deeper It's likely that you have faith that when that day of death comes for you, the Lord will be there to carry you through it to Him. This is where you depend upon Him the most, since the self sufficiency that's carried you to this point won't be of much help you then. This is our only comfort after all, that our souls belong to our faithful Savior in death! But this is exactly the reminder that the prophet was sent to bring: that you must depend upon God just as much in the here and now, to know that He's our only comfort in both life and in death, both body and soul. You need continual reminders that everything else around you will fade away, but that it's the Lord's "power" and "mighty arm" that "tends His flock like a shepherd and carries them close to His heart (v10-11). This is what you're praying for when you pray that God will lead you not into temptation: that instead of depending upon fleeting self sufficiency, you'll be firmly rooted in the forever eduring Word of God. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, whose Word endures forever; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that God will lead you away from the temptation of self-sufficiency; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Revelation 18

Do you want your church to grow? Then pray for God's Kingdom to come! Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 122 Q. What does the second request mean? A. “Your kingdom come” means, Rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to you. Keep your church strong, and add to it. Destroy the devil’s work; destroy every force which revolts against you and every conspiracy against your Word. Do this until your kingdom is so complete and perfect that in it you are all in all. Summary The Book of Acts details the early days of the Church. The people came together in fellowship, formed a community of faith, and devoted themselves to the teachings of the apostles. Along with this sense of community came an overflow of generosity, with some selling possessions and property to provide for those in need. This was a period of great growth in the Church, with the numbers of faithful increasing each day. There is much that we can still learn today from the example of these early believers. And while their devotion is commendable and should be emulated, make sure to deliver credit where it is due. Their number grew each day, yet it is not the actions of the people which are credited for this growth. Instead, Luke writes that “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved”. Dig Deeper The devotion of the Early Church is an inspiration to the generations of believers who have followed. Their devotion was rewarded as the Lord added to their number daily. This act of growing the Church is part of God’s provision. As much as church leaders, ministry coordinators, and evangelists try to strategize how to reach the world with the Gospel; this ultimately is God’s handiwork. By living out our faith, we get the blessing of being the hands and feet of Jesus. It is no secret that the size of the North American church has decreased over time. There continues to be an increase in this part of the globe of those who claim no faith. However, not all is lost. God is still in control and will provide for his people. What is needed are workers for the harvest. There is a need for a spiritual revival. And while it is God who will bring this about, he calls upon us to be his messengers. God is at work, do not miss out on the opportunity to be a part of what he is doing. Each time you pray the words "Your kingdom come," or words similar to them, you're praying that God will strengthen His Church and add to it. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, who builds His Church with the teaching of His Word, participation at His table, and in the fellowship of believers; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for the church He's placed you in. Pray that it will grow and that He will add to it; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Jude