Day 20: The Grave Is Not The End
Theme For The Series: In this 21 day Advent devotional we are focusing on anticipation and the Incarnation, Christ’s presence In the world, and the return of the King.
Intro Prayer: “Jesus, please help me in this time to be fully present to You and to myself that I may commune with You for the sake of your glory and the world around me.”
Silence: In this time, try and become silent before the Lord both internally and externally for 5 minutes. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to stillness.
Praise: Bless the Lord by declaring these truths about Him!
“You are powerful and present. You provide generously for me. You are my protector and my priest. You are the Prince of Peace and you are pure in heart. You pick me up when I fall and you persevere with me in my failings.”
Devotional: And while we look ahead to the return of Jesus, it means incredible news- the grave is not the end. When Christ returns, he will raise his people from the grave. This hope was so powerful and meaningful to early Christians that when they were preparing to be baptized, they would gather around tombs to let it sink deep that the grave was not the end. John Chrysostom said that the graves of believers were “tombs with life, tombs that give voice.”
As you meditate on Scripture today, let the power of Christ’s return sink in!
Scripture: Read today’s text slowly. Feed your spirit on the words. Your goal in this time is to commune with Jesus through His Word. Take note as you sense His Presence.
1 Thessalonians 4.13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Worship: Worship forms the truths of Scripture deep within our lives. This week we will be worshipping to the song Silent Night performed by Hillsong. Lyrics are listed below as well. (If you are reading this via email, here is the link to the video.)
“Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother, Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly
Sleep in heavenly
Sleep in heavenly
Sleep in heavenly
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother, Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Christ, Christ, the Savior is born
Christ, Christ, the Savior
Christ, Christ, the Savior is born.”
Listen: Take time to listen to the Holy Spirit. Write down anything you sense the Lord speaking.
Obedience: What from today is the Lord calling you to put in practice? Could be to pray for someone, to call someone, to serve someone etc.