One Thousand Gifts: Friday, Week Twenty-One

 

Happy Friday, Friends!  Tomorrow is Christmas Eve Eve!!!  I'm so excited.  I can't wait for all the festivities at home, in the community, and at church.  Lots to do!!!  What are your plans?

What are your thoughts about this week's devotion?  Snakes aren't my faves, but I think God certainly made His point to the ungrateful Israelites in the most spectacular and frightening way!  

This week's devotional has frightening imagery, doesn't it.  Not only were people bitten by a den of snakes, they had to look at a replica of one for healing.  Yikes!  Here is the scripture:

Interestingly, Jesus references this scene from Numbers and explains the necessity of his crucifixion:

No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.

~John 3:14-15 (MSG)

We are to look and search for him who is invisible, and believe.  Not a bad lesson for this Advent Season!

Prayer Requests:

• Kitty asks that we pray that her Grandson Connor and his dad will make amends; Son Mike will find a job; and Son in law Eric will be able to manage his cervical dystonia.
• Pray that God will keep a hedge of protection around each of our families, especially concerning our health (physical, mental, and spiritual).
• Thank-you, God, for your constancy in answering our prayers!
• Pray for unity in our country, and that God will show us mercy and continue to bless us.
• Pray that we will have a very blessed Christmas season with family and friends,  that we will be able to focus on what's truly important, and that God will draw us and all our family members closer to Him.
• Carla has a request for her community as crime is increasing.  She also requests that we pray for courage for the citizens of Cameron.
• Sam is back to his monthly Drill schedule with the Wisconsin National Guard. Prayer request is for strength and wisdom. Longer drill periods have been set for 2024.  Pray for the 157th!
• Please pray for my best friend's granddaughter (5 months old) in hospital for RSV and adenovirus.  The mother is in the hospital for emergency gallbladder surgery, and both the dad and grandmother have been sick.  Please pray for Susan and her family.  I a very concerned, although it looks like Baby Mia is making a turn for the better.

Have a blessed weekend, Friends!  Be a shining light to those struggling with darkness.

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill