Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31
I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Advent devotions where I pick up on Day 22. Here, John Piper seeks to awaken the souls of all believers who, at least from time to time, maintain a sense of spiritual lethargy upon a reading of the Christmas story. Piper shares: "You can read every fairy tale that was ever written, every mystery thriller, every ghost story, and you will never find anything so shocking, so strange, so weird and spellbinding as the story of the incarnation of the Son of God. How dead we are! How callous and unfeeling to your glory and your story, O God! How often have I had to repent and say, 'God, I am sorry that the stories men have made up stir my emotions, my awe and wonder and admiration and joy, more than your own true story.'" Piper continues as he prays: "Oh, how I pray for a breaking forth of the Spirit of God upon me and upon you; for the Holy Spirit to break into my experience in a frightening way, to wake me up to the unimaginable reality of God." He then describes how likely it will be at the end of times, when things get really crazy, chaotic and scary, that we will be surprised how we could ever have had any emotional dead-ness in the face of such an unimaginable portrait of God throughout all of redemptive history. Piper concludes the devotion with: "[t]hese things are written — the whole Bible is written — that we might believe — that we might be stunned and awakened to the wonder — that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came into the world." We should all pray that we always have a sense of wonder and excitement when we encounter the Word the God.
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and I am grateful for a sense of excitement and wonder you have given about Your Word. Yet I know there is more work to do - my sin continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
