Beginning Time Alone with God (Youth)

Sunday, Nov 26, 2023

 

     It’s a long way from Pharaoh’s palace to the far side of the desert in Midian. Yet, that’s exactly where Moses unexpectedly found himself when the angel of the LORD announced that, after four hundred years, God was going to rescue the children of Abraham from slavery in Egypt. Four hundred years is a long time. While Egypt and her gods seemed all-powerful, the God of Abraham seemed to have been absent. Worse for Moses, God had chosen him to lead the people out of Pharaoh’s grip. Moses’ doubt about this plan didn’t migrate to the question of “how” God was going to do that. Rather, he asked “who” was going to do it. The Egyptian gods all had names. Moses needed to know God’s name so that his people and the Egyptians would know that he represented a God that could deliver his people. God revealed His name that day in the desert, the name that His people cry out for centuries to come “I am.” In Hebrew, God’s name is “Yahweh” and it is often translated “LORD” in our English Bibles.

     It’s a long way from planning a wedding to planning a divorce. Yet, that’s exactly where Joseph unexpectedly found himself after learning that his betrothed, Mary, was pregnant. Thankfully, an angel of the Lord announced to Joseph that the baby in Mary’s womb was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She was carrying a son, the angel revealed, and this boy was to be called, “Jesus.” Such a common name…Sons, brothers, nephews and friends all had that name. But the angel was definite. The baby was to be called “Jesus” because it means “Yahweh saves” and this Jesus would save the people from their sins. It had been four hundred years since the last prophet in Israel spoke. During that time the Greeks and the Romans with their pantheon of pagan gods had oppressed Yahweh’s people. Oh how they needed a Savior, not just from those who oppressed them but from the shackles of their own sin.

    Our God has a name – Jesus. We do no worship an impersonal spirit or force in the universe. He is a person, one who lived and breathed and laughed and cried. Celebrate today the privilege of worshipping a person, Jesus, who has come to deliver all people from their sin.

 Mark Young. “Our God Has A Name.” He Is Born Ded 25. Denver Seminary, 2011.  

 

MONDAY

Quiet – yourself before God (2-4 minutes).

Prayer –

       Confession – Confess your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive you

and take away all sin from you.

       Intercession – Pray for other people’s needs and lives.

       Focus – on those who need salvation.

       Petition – Talk with God about your life and needs.

                      Your Purity before God.

Worship – and give thanks to God for everything (be specific).

Bible Adventure –

        Read and think and imagine – Matthew 1:1-6

       Meditate on this passage in the Bible.

Write – Journal what God taught you today.

Close – with prayer. Go with God into your day today.

 

TUESDAY

Quiet – yourself before God (2-4 minutes).

Prayer –

       Confession – Confess your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive you

and take away all sin from you.

       Intercession – Pray for other people’s needs and lives.

       Focus – on the need to grow and become like Jesus.

       Petition – Talk with God about your life and needs.

                               The Presence of God in your life.

Worship – and give thanks to God for everything (be specific).

Bible Adventure –

        Read and think and imagine – Matthew 1:7-11

       Meditate on this passage in the Bible.

Write – Journal what God taught you today.

Close – with prayer. Go with God into your day today.

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY

Quiet – yourself before God (2-4 minutes).

Prayer –

       Confession – Confess your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive you

and take away all sin from you.

       Intercession – Pray for other people’s needs and lives.

       Focus – on those who need healing.

       Petition – Talk with God about your life and needs.

                      The Passion of God in your life.

Worship – and give thanks to God for everything (be specific).

Bible Adventure

       Read and think and imagine – Matthew 1:12-17

       Meditate on this passage in the Bible.

Write – Journal what God taught you today.

Close – with prayer. Go with God into your day today.

 

 

THURSDAY

Quiet – yourself before God (2-4 minutes).

Prayer –

       Confession – Confess your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive you

and take away all sin from you.

       Intercession – Pray for other people’s needs and lives.

       Focus – on the missionaries all over the world – Monica Padilla Trueman, Colorado Christian Services

       Petition – Talk with God about your life and needs.

                               The Power of God in your life.

Worship – and give thanks to God for everything (be specific).

Bible Adventure

        Read and think and imagine – Matthew 1:18-21

       Meditate on this passage in the Bible.

Write – Journal what God taught you today.

Close – with prayer. Go with God into your day today.

 

 

FRIDAY

Quiet – yourself before God (2-4 minutes).

Prayer –

       Confession – Confess your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive you

and take away all sin from you.

       Intercession – Pray for other people’s needs and lives.

       Focus – on giving thanks for Creation.

       Petition – Talk with God about your life and needs.

                               God’s Freedom in your life.

Worship – and give thanks to God for everything (be specific).

Bible Adventure

        Read and think and imagine – Matthew 1:22-25

       Meditate on this passage in the Bible.

Write – Journal what God taught you today.

Close – with prayer. Go with God into your day today.

 

 

SATURDAY

Quiet – yourself before God (2-4 minutes).

  Prayer –

       Confession – Confess your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive you

and take away all sin from you.

       Intercession – Pray for other people’s needs and lives.

       Focus – on life all around you.

       Petition – Talk with God about your life and needs.

      God’s Hope in your life.

Worship – and give thanks to God for everything (be specific).

Bible Adventure –

        Read and think and imagine – Matthew 1:1-17

       Meditate on this passage in the Bible.

Write – Journal what God taught you today.

Close – with prayer. Go with God into your day today.

 

 

SUNDAY 

Quiet – yourself before God (2-4 minutes).

Prayer –

       Confession – Confess your sins to God. Ask Him to forgive you

and take away all sin from you.

       Intercession – Pray for other people’s needs and lives.

       Focus – Talk with God about church and worship today at WLCF.

       Petition – Ask God to help you worship Him today.

Bible Adventure –

       Read and think and imagine – Matthew 1:18-25

       Meditate on this passage in the Bible.

Write – Journal what God taught you today.

Close – with prayer. Go with God into your day today.