Advent Devotional Dec 4
Week Two:
Creating Shalom means Sharing Love
Sunday, December 4, 2022
“Love is the Model” – Read Matthew 3:1-12
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (v. 11, NIV)
John came before Jesus, preparing the way. He made sacrifices in his life, opened minds and hearts around him, and heard the deep confessions of friends and strangers--all while humbly extending God’s love. He knew that he was preparing the people for another. He lived and served authentically.
This scripture reminds me of the mentors in my life and ministry. The utmost model of authenticity and humility is my father. Raised in Holdenville, OK, he and his little brother experienced the untimely death of their father. My dad was told at a young age that he had to become the man of the house. He began caring for his family and became his younger brother’s role model.
Dad was my hero in the faith, having us sit together as a family in the second pew on the left every Sunday morning, volunteering at church for leadership positions, teaching his Sunday School class, and in the 1960s, sponsoring the Methodist Youth Fellowship my siblings and I enjoyed.
He taught us to care for one another as Jesus cared for us. My father loved his family. Dad modeled compassion, caring, and humility. He taught us to be generous as he gave to ministries and missions. He encouraged each of us in whatever we chose to pursue. He laughed with us, played basketball in the driveway, tried to teach me to drive, and attended every activity, ball game, dance recital, and school program. Since he was 6’4” tall, he was easy to spot in a crowd, his smile towering over all the other dads. His family was his priority.
My father was also the first person I told I was being called into the ministry. He later told the Bishop that my ordination could change the church (I am still not sure what my dad had in mind, but I treasure the memory of overhearing that conversation).
Whom do you precede? What model are you setting for those following your footsteps? How is God grooming you to pass along that Jesus is Messiah?
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart. / Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart. / In my heart, in my heart, / Lord, I want to be like Jesus
in my heart. Amen.
Rev. Linda Brinkworth
Retired Elder, the Heartland District
“Love is the Model” – Read Matthew 3:1-12
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (v. 11, NIV)
John came before Jesus, preparing the way. He made sacrifices in his life, opened minds and hearts around him, and heard the deep confessions of friends and strangers--all while humbly extending God’s love. He knew that he was preparing the people for another. He lived and served authentically.
This scripture reminds me of the mentors in my life and ministry. The utmost model of authenticity and humility is my father. Raised in Holdenville, OK, he and his little brother experienced the untimely death of their father. My dad was told at a young age that he had to become the man of the house. He began caring for his family and became his younger brother’s role model.
Dad was my hero in the faith, having us sit together as a family in the second pew on the left every Sunday morning, volunteering at church for leadership positions, teaching his Sunday School class, and in the 1960s, sponsoring the Methodist Youth Fellowship my siblings and I enjoyed.
He taught us to care for one another as Jesus cared for us. My father loved his family. Dad modeled compassion, caring, and humility. He taught us to be generous as he gave to ministries and missions. He encouraged each of us in whatever we chose to pursue. He laughed with us, played basketball in the driveway, tried to teach me to drive, and attended every activity, ball game, dance recital, and school program. Since he was 6’4” tall, he was easy to spot in a crowd, his smile towering over all the other dads. His family was his priority.
My father was also the first person I told I was being called into the ministry. He later told the Bishop that my ordination could change the church (I am still not sure what my dad had in mind, but I treasure the memory of overhearing that conversation).
Whom do you precede? What model are you setting for those following your footsteps? How is God grooming you to pass along that Jesus is Messiah?
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart. / Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart. / In my heart, in my heart, / Lord, I want to be like Jesus
in my heart. Amen.
Rev. Linda Brinkworth
Retired Elder, the Heartland District
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