Online Ministry 1230 - 0105 2020

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Loving God, who breaks through the darkness of doubt and despair, be with us this day as we hear of the visit of the Wise Ones, who risked everything to follow a Star. Let us open our hearts and be willing to risk receiving the gift of gracious Love that you have to offer us in the form of our Savior, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
   

Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

72:1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king's son.
72:2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
72:3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
72:4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
72:5 May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
72:6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
72:7 In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
72:10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
72:11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service.
72:12 For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.
72:13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
72:14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight.
       

DAILY READINGS

• Monday, December 30, 2019: Psalm 20; Isaiah 26:1-9; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
• Tuesday, December 31, 2019: Psalm 20; 1 Kings 3:5-14; John 8:12-19
• Wednesday, January 1, 2020: New Year's Day
• Thursday, January 2, 2020: Psalm 20; Genesis 12:1-7; Hebrews 11:1-12
• Friday, January 3, 2020: Psalm 72; Genesis 28:10-22; Hebrews 11:13-22
• Saturday, January 4, 2020: Psalm 72; Exodus 3:1-5; Hebrews 11:23-31
• Sunday, January 5, 2020: Second Sunday after Christmas Day

    

ABUNDANT HEALTH

Healthy Friendship
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)
    
Did you know that your friends can be the key to your health? Research shows that being engaged in community improves your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. The opposite is also true: Isolation injures us. Our lack of community can keep us from being the healthiest we can be.
   
Much of what currently ails us (and people all over the globe) is preventable, treatable, and very often curable. Yet the cure is right next to us. Love and intimacy are at the root of what makes us sick and what makes us well, what causes sadness and what brings us happiness, what makes us suffer and what leads to healing. If a new drug had the same impact, virtually every doctor in the country would be recommending it for his or her patients.
—The Daniel Plan Team
   

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

God of glorious surprises: Like the wise men sent by Herod, we, too, come as searchers for a glimpse of your presence. We are surprised that we find you not in a palace but in a stable, surrounded by a family of poor refugees and worshiped by the lowly shepherds. Use our gifts for the work of justice, mercy, and compassion – as would befit the savior who sleeps in a manger. Amen.