Jesus Listens December 8

Brilliant Jesus,

You are the Light of the world! One way I like to celebrate Advent is by illuminating my home with candles and a lit-up tree. This is a way of symbolizing Your coming into our world-eternal Light breaking through the darkness and opening up the way to heaven. I’m grateful that nothing can reverse Your glorious plan of salvation. You’ve promised that all who trust You as Savior are adopted into Your royal family, to live with You forever!

Your Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it. No matter how much evil and unbelief I see in this dark world, You continue to shine brightly. So it’s crucial for me to look toward the Light as much as possible-fixing my eyes on You. By making good thought-choices, I can “see” You as I journey through my days. Please help me to persevere in this delightful discipline of keeping my eyes on You. I find hope in these wonderful words that You spoke: “Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of Life.” In Your bright, radiant Name, Amen.

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””
John 8:12

“He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,”
Ephesians 1:5

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” 5
John 1:5

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrew 12:2

Jesus Listens December 7

Beloved Jesus,

When my mind and heart are quiet, I can hear You inviting me to draw near. I delight in Your glorious invitation, proclaimed in holy whispers: “Come to Me. Come to Me. Come to Me.” Drawing near to You requires no great effort on my part; it’s more like surrendering to You and ceasing to resist the magnetic pull of Your Love.

Help me, through Your Spirit, to open myself more fully to Your loving Presence so that I may be filled to the measure of all Your fullness. I yearn to have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is Your Love for me–and to know this Love that surpasses knowledge. This vast ocean of Love cannot be measured or explained, but it can be experienced.
In Your amazing Name,Amen.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:8

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28

“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”
John 6:37

“That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:16-19

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by SarahYoung

Jesus Listens December 6

Exalted Jesus,

You are the Light from on high that dawns upon us to give Light to those who sit in darkness. Sometimes my circumstances are so difficult and confusing that I feel as if I’m surrounded by darkness. My mind offers up various solutions to my problems, but I’ve already tried them-without success. So I fret and wonder what to do next, feeling powerless and frustrated. At times like this, I need to look up and see Your Light shining upon me.

As I gaze at You in childlike trust, I find hope and rest in Your Presence. Your Word teaches me to cease striving and know that You are God. Please help me to set aside my problem-solving efforts and relax with You remembering that You are the Prince of Peace. I find it soothing to breathe in Your peaceful Presence with each breath I take. The more of You I absorb, the calmer I become. After resting with You for a while, I’m ready to pour out my heart about my troubles- trusting You to show me the way I should go.

Lord, please guide my feet into the way of Peace. In Your worthy Name, Amen.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10

“because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. ”
Luke 1:78-79

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. “
Isaiah 9:6

“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”
Psalm 62:8

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by SarahYoung

Jesus Listens December 5

Cherished Jesus,

You are the Joy that no one can take away from me. As I rest in Your Presence, I savor the wonders of this glorious gift. I rejoice that this blessing is mine forever-You are mine for all eternity!

Many things in this world can bring me pleasure for a while, but they are all passing away due to death and decay. In You I have a matchless Treasure Joy in the One who is the same yesterday and today and forever. No one can rob me of this pleasure because You are faithful and unchanging.

I realize that whenever I’m feeling joyless, the problem is not in the source of Joy (You) but in the receiver (me). Sometimes I get so focused on other things difficulties and distractions in my life that I neglect my relationship with You. Help me remember to put You first in my life, relating to You continually as my First Love. And please increase my moment-by-moment receptivity to Your Presence. As I spend time delighting myself in You, I receive Joy in full measure!
In Your joyous Name, Amen.

“So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”
John 16:22

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrew 13:8

“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”
Revelation 2:4

“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm37:4

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young