Thursday, December 7, 2017 Advent Week One! Hope! Day 5: Hope Anchors

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Advent Week One! Hope!

Day 5: Hope Anchors

Scripture:

Hebrews 6:17-20

¹⁷ So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, ¹⁸ so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. ¹⁹ We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, ²⁰ where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Devotional:

Hope anchors us! This truth continually brings up the yearning and gratitude of my early days as a returning believer in my late 20s. For me and many like me, my young adulthood was largely rudderless and drifting. The truth of the anchor that the Lord Jesus provides by His blood, by taking His place at the right hand of the Father, so that there is true refuge for a weary wanderer like me was and is humbling and amazing. I no longer need to exhaust myself trying to navigate this world with a constant feeling of overwhelm and exhaustion as I by turns bail water from my sinking little vessel and feverishly paddle in whatever direction seems right at the time. Jesus is our anchor, friends! Sure. Steadfast. He is still seated at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us as our high priest. This Advent season, let us hold fast to our Anchor of Hope!

Prayer:

Thanksgiving:

Sweet Lord, thank You this day for Your heart toward us that You would anchor our souls by Your Son! I honor You and bless You this day as I lift my heart and hands to You.

Confession:

I daily come and confess my heart before You for Your healing and cleansing and to press in to intimacy with You. Today, I allow You to examine me afresh. I confess (take time to share with the Lord. Mine today: I confess that I continue to need Your touch in the area of rejection. When others don’t seem to like me or want to get to know me, I do not want to become bitter or resentful. Help me to love at all times and walk in grace and forgiveness. Help me to flow with Your love toward others whether they love me or not.)

Supplication:

I lift my needs to You and ask that You intervene in the area of (list personal needs, concerns and requests. Mine today: I continue to ask for increased health and healing. I thank You that I have improved today. Help me not to over do today in trying to catch up from being sick. I bless You, Lord. I also ask that You will continue to guide my husband and I as we build our small business.)

Intercession:

I lift my children to You today. I thank You for the office of intercessor in their lives. I pray for health, hearts that are for You and toward You, spirits that are soft and moldable and flowing with Your Spirit, for rich and abiding relationships with our family and with friends. (Lift needs and concerns, making note of progress, victories and answers to prayer. Chloe today: Thank You for our eleventh full night of sleep this month! I pray for her friendships to be whole and healthy. I pray for her emotions to come under Your banner. I pray for her selfish willfulness to be transformed into a servant’s heart and directed in Your Way instead of her own when it is contrary to Your Will. For Christian today: Thank You for progress in toileting. Our ongoing request is that he will begin to initiate using the bathroom independently and that he will be in underwear permanently. I also pray for continued leaps in academic progress.)

Thanksgiving and Consecration:

I thank You for the time You have protected for me to spend time with You in Your Word and in prayer for my family. I bless You and honor You, Lord! Seal this time for Your glory and Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen!

Blessing and Benediction:

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, ¹⁷ comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.