Sunday Scripture

 

 In 2013, I did an Advent study with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download, and I wanted to let you know that if you're interested you can head on over there and get it.  Scroll down and click on the book-like image with the candy canes, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

Each week of this Advent study focuses on a theme: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace.  I plan to use some of these for very simple Sunday Scripture posts here and also (different verses) on my Christmas blog, for the first four weeks in December.  The first week's verses are focused on Hope. 

Today's Scripture is Jeremiah 33:14-15.  In the actual study, this one was from December 4 -- just in case you downloaded the study and are following along with it.

S= "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD,  that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.
"In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and He shall execute justice and righteousness in the land."  (Jeremiah 33:14-15)

O= God is speaking here, giving Jeremiah a message to speak to Israel and Judah.  He declares that the day is coming when He will the good things which He has promised to Judah and to Israel.  He will cause the Branch of righteousness (Jesus Himself) to take the throne of David as King of Kings and Lord of lords.

A= The most obvious application that stands out to me is that God keeps His promises!  What He promises, He eventually performs, when His time is right.

It is also neat to see the promise of the coming of the Branch fulfilled, insofar as Christ coming to earth in His first incarnation.  We have the sure promise that He will come again to reign as King of Kings and Lord of lords, to "execute justice and righteousness in the land."

P= "Lord, how I thank and praise You that You keep Your promises!  What You promise, You are more than able to perform.  I see here Your promise of sending the Messiah -- and how that promise was kept.  I thank and praise You for the surety that You always will keep Your promises -- You will never leave or forsake Your people; You are working all things together for our good and Your glory; You will be with us even through the valley of the shadow of death; just to name a very few promises. I praise You for all that You are doing, and all that You have done and will do!  In Jesus' name, Amen."

So there is our very simple and basic study for Sunday Scripture today.  I think that "simple" is likely all that most of us can handle right now as we move into this blessed Christmas season.  I know that to be true of myself!