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Good News Daily

Volume VIII
November 23–29, 2008
Number 47

Sunday, November 23
Matthew 21:1-13 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me.” (v.2 NLT)

A Donkey’s Tale for Little Folks

Mother and I were nabbed by a couple of strangers. I figured it was mother that they wanted, but when people started piling coats on top of me, I got the jitters. As I started to bolt, one man came slowly and deliberately forward. Gently he stroked me. Understanding somehow that I had never carried anyone before, he said, “For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served, but to serve others” (20:28). Calming down, I began to feel chosen and honored to carry this kindly man. Mounting, he guided me through the chanting mob.

Between the heavy burden and the shower of flowers and palm fronds, I panicked. Just then my rider whispered into my ear, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you” (Isaiah 41:10). Much encouraged, I went on to the great Temple, where my new friend gave me a final rub before dismounting.

On the way back to Bethpage, I thought over the day. With divine love, the reassurance of Scripture, and the will to walk obediently, even the small, young, and inexperienced can serve the Master.

Zechariah 9:9-16; Psalm 118; 1 Peter 3:13-22

Monday, November 24
Luke 18:15-30 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” (v.16)

As I sat in the doctor’s waiting room, I watched a young mother enter with a six-week-old baby and two boys under three. The harried woman attempted to defy nature by insisting her boys “sit down and be quiet.” Not seeing any particular reason for either in an otherwise empty room, I chatted with the mom before proffering my keys to the youngsters. The keys led to hide and seek, drawing, hand motions, and so forth as the waiting room filled. A teen soon joined in the fun, as did several grandparents. The solemn ritual of waiting for the doctor turned into a rollicking good time for all.

Jesus welcomed the children who popped into his life, and we can surely do the same. Furthermore, he says that childlike qualities are Kingdom qualities. Love, joy, trust, enthusiasm, energy, and dependence are a few that come to mind. How can we grownups recapture these qualities? By running to our heavenly Father, placing ourselves and everything we have—tangible and intangible—in his lap, and settling into a loving, dependent relationship.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it” (v.17).

Zechariah 10:1-12; Psalm 106:1-18; Galatians 6:1-10

Tuesday, November 25
1 Corinthians 3:10-23 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? (v.16)

The gym was half filled with keyed-up teens. They were in town for a weeklong summer mission, working on a Habitat for Humanity house. As the lights dimmed, a youthful rock band belted out a Justin Peters song: “Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you!”

The pastor stood and gave this challenge: “Someday a family will move into our Habitat house and decorate it to suit their taste. Well, the Holy Spirit wants to move into us, too. When he sets up house, we are transformed little by little into his temple. He decorates us with stuff like love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness (from Galatians 5:22). For furniture, he’ll fill us with spiritual gifts like helping others, encouraging, leading, teaching, and giving (from Romans 12:7-8). Our whole being will reflect God’s holy character. Out goes trash talk, sex outside of marriage, money grubbing, and cheating (from Colossians 3:5-11). Already the Holy Spirit is in this group and in each one of you. But are you willing to let Him move deeper into you? Think about it as we sing that song one more time.”

Zechariah 11:4-17; Psalms 120, 121, 122, 123; Luke 18:31-43

Wednesday, November 26
Luke 19:1-10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” (v.10)

“Mom, come quick! Max is gone!” Yes indeed, our dwarf hamster had slipped his cage. Corners, dressers, bookshelves, and shoes were searched. Lots of toys, dirty clothes, and baseball cards were found—but no Max. Knowing that Max probably couldn’t make it alone, we prayed mightily and remained alert.

Later, we heard an odd scratching sound in the closet. Thrilled, our son and I gathered up the furry creature. We thanked and praised God with the heartfelt joy of the Good Shepherd finding a lost lamb!

Just as Max was a lost soul on the run, Zacchaeus, too, had been running from God by choosing riches over righteousness. While he might not label himself a “lost lamb,” he knew he wasn’t where he wanted to be in life. With his change of heart, Zacchaeus tentatively sought to check out Jesus, never daring to hope for a true encounter with the Good Shepherd. Soon Zacchaeus was up a tree and the rest is history.

Are you running from God, like Zacchaeus? Then venture out for a glimpse of Jesus—just allow the Spirit to draw you to him—and you’ll surely find the Good Shepherd eagerly seeking to save you too.

Zechariah 12:1-10; Psalm 119:145-176; Ephesians 1:3-14

Thursday, November 27
Psalm 96 He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth. (v.13)

Advent—from Latin meaning, “to come”—is a four-week penitential period of spiritual preparation, which begins this Sunday. Through time spent in prayer, fasting, and Bible study, we invite Jesus to come into our hearts afresh. But the Church has more than that first coming at Bethlehem in mind. Advent is also a time to soberly reflect on Christ’s Second Coming in judgment, and that is precisely the subject of today’s readings.

In Luke 19:11-27, Jesus tells of a king who goes away, leaving his treasures with trusted servants. Returning unexpectedly, he judges the worthiness of each servant based on how well each has used what he was given. This Advent, can we take time to consider how much the King has entrusted to us? Have we invested it to God’s glory and shared it with our needy world?

Lord Jesus, come see us humbled, fearful, ashamed, and repentant of our sin. Come, we pray, with forgiveness. Come wash us with your blood. Come into every part of our lives, for this is why you came to be among us. Come, Lord Jesus!

Zechariah 13:1-9; Psalms 131, 132, 133; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 19:11-27

Friday, November 28
Romans 15:7-13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. (v.13a)

Do you try to live a prayerful Advent? Or do you barely get into this holy time before you are ready to chuck it and jump into the Christmas fray? Are gifts, cards, good food, and programs all nagging for your time? Wait! Don’t give in.

Unplug the Christmas Machine is a workshop by Jo Robinson and Jean Staeheli that offers these practical suggestions. First, make separate lists of holiday activities (parties, cooking, etc.), people you spend time with, types of gifts you give, health impact holidays usually have on you, spiritual factors which lead you to feel closest to God, and acts of charity. Now, to evaluate each list, put an “*” by the things that were meaningful to you and your family in the past. Put “T” or “M” by any large time or money guzzlers. Put “X” by things you didn’t enjoy and “XX” by things that do not glorify God. Several codes may stand by the same item. Share the list with your family for their input, and pray over these lists. The signs by the items on your list will lead you to a more meaningful Advent season by showing you what you can do without this year.

Lord, give us the wisdom and courage to unplug the Christmas machine and plug into real “peace on earth, goodwill towards men.” May God “fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him.”

Zechariah 14:1-11; Psalms 140, 142; Luke 19:28-40

Saturday, November 29
Philippians 2:1-11 Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant. He became like man and appeared in human likeness. (v.7 TEV)

Real live foot washing is included in our church’s Maundy Thursday worship service. More than a little courage is needed to go forward and wash someone else’s feet. That is imitating Christ by acting as the giver. But actually, I’ve found that it takes far more guts to allow someone else to wash my feet. In addition to being terribly intimate, this receiving disturbs me because I like to be in charge and in control. As the receiver of someone else’s tender care, I awkwardly struggle with gratitude at the enormity of the gift.

Jesus washed our feet, carried our cross, and died our death. Thus he assured us that we are loved, clean of sin, and in his heart forever. Receiving is the part we play in our salvation. In going forward to live our Christian lives, we continually receive from God all that is needed for growth—love, guidance, spiritual gifts, and grace. Having so received, we are then prepared to give as Jesus gave, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

“I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another's feet. I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you” (John 13:14-15).

by Martha Emerson

Used with permission from the BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP
P. O. Box 380, Winter Park, FL 32790