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PRAY FOR DIVINE OPPORTUNITIES When you keep God's Word in your heart You'll start noticing more opportunities to share it with others. Ask God each day to guide you to someone who needs Him. Trust that He will open doors to share your faith. Be bold and ready to act when He leads. God is near, Ask Him to meet you where you are and trust Him with your thoughts and feelings.

PSALM 8:3-4 When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?

Look at the sky and see reminders of God's power. Spend a few moments reflecting on God's creativity, and thank Him for all He has done.

PHILIPPIANS 4:7 And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Whatever is on your mind matters to God. Spend the next few moments presenting your requests and concerns to Him.

1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!

What would it look like for you to seek God's strength today? Spend several minutes to seek God through Prayer.

DAILY BIBLE READING: EXODUS 1-3 MATTHEW 14:1-21 ISRAEL INCREASES GREATLY IN EGYPT Jacob's sons in Egypt: 70pax Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher Joseph Joseph, his brothers and all their generation died, but the Israelites were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and filled the land. PHARAOH OPPRESSED ISRAEL Egyptian king did not know Joseph. He was threatened by the number of Israelites and oppressed them, set taskmasters and burdens on them. The more they multiplied, the more dread. Hebrew midwives were advised to kill sons of Hebrew women but they disobeyed because they feared God. God dealt well with them and the people grew very strong. God gave them families. The pharaoh insisted on the rule to throw sons into the nile. THE BIRTH OF MOSES MOSES FLEES TO MIDIAN GOD HEARS ISRAEL'S GROANING THE BURNING BUSH THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST JESUS FEEDS THE 5OOO

1 PETER 4:12-19 The apostle Peter penned his first letter to encourage believers in Jesus who-because of persecution in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1) had been scattered throughout Asia Minor (Modern day turkey). Peter's words still encourages suffering believers today. We're not to be surprised when we face persecution because of our faith (1 Peter 4:12) After all, Christ warned, "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also" (John 15:20). Yet Peter tells us to rejoice when we suffer for being Christ's followers (1 Peter 4:13-16). We see this modeled by Paul in prison (Acts 16:22-25). God the Holy Spirit was with the early believers in their trials-and He's with us in ours (1 Peter 4:14; John 14:15-17, Romans 5:5) He comforts (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) and inspires His followers to persevere with rejoicing. By Alyson Kieda

1 PETER 4:14 The Spirit if glory and of God rests on you

THE GIFT OF TRIALS The 2 men conquered human flight, but the Wright brothers' journey to success was never easy. Despite countless failures, ridicule, money woes, and serious injury to one of them, the brothers weren't stopped by the trials they faced. As Orville Wright observed, "No bird soars in a calm." The idea, according to biographer DAvid MacCullough, means that adversity can "often be exactly what you need to give you a life higher." Said McCullough, "Their joy was not getting to the top of the mountain. Their joy was climbing the mountain." The apostle Peter taught a similar spiritual principle to the persecuted early church. He told them, "Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you" (1 Peter 4:12) This wasn't a denial of suffering's pain. Peter knew that hope in Christ grows our trust in God. This is especially true when we suffer for being a believer in Jesus, as those early Christians did. Peter wrote to them, "Rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed" He went on, "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God, rests on you." As the Wright brothers' character was hailed by their biographer, may others see God's loving character at work in us. He uses our adversity to raise us to new heights. By: Patricia Raybon

REFLECT AND PRAY How have you suffered for Christ? How was He glorified?

Suffering tests me, dear God. Please grant me hope for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE: JOB 10-13 JOB CONTINUES: A PLEA TO GOD ZOPHAR SPEAKS: YOU DESERVE WORSE JOB REPLIES: THE LORD HAS DONE THIS JOB CONTINUES: STILL I WILL HOPE IN GOD

THE NAMES OF JESUS FOR ADVENT: SERVANT: When Jesus took on the role of a servant, this was a great challenge to the leadership model of the days in which He conducted His ministry. Jesus laid aside His majesty in order to show people the love of God and how we should live and serve one another. It was prophesied in Isaiah 42:1-4 that Jesus would come as a servant, and in Mark 10:45 Jesus said this of Himself: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many", and in Luke 22:27 Jesus said "For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves." But Jesus also modelled this role of servanthood through His actions-washing His disciples' feet, a role left to the least of servants to honor visitors to one's home as an example of what this servanthood might look like in a practical way. At that time, the role of a servant was so foreign to the experience of leaders that this was a revelation to some, and a challenge to others. We thank Jesus for showing us how He wants us to love one another.

MATTHEW 12:15-18 GOD'S CHOSEN SERVANT Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim, justice to the Gentiles.

ISAIAH 52:13-15 HE WAS PIERCED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. As many were astonished at you, his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that pf the children of mankind so shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand.

ISAIAH 42:1-4 THE LORD'S CHOSEN SERVANT Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or life up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully being forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.