A Shoot from the Stump - December 11

God can produce life even when the situation seems hopeless. He creates the universe out of nothing to provide a place for life to flourish. He blesses barren women with new life where none had been possible for many years. And he provides a spring of spiritual life in conditions that seem desolate.

Jesse was the father of King David who was to be the first in a line of kings that was to reign forever. But things went awry after David's son, King Solomon, died. The kingdom split and many of the kings of Judah did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Eventually the people of Judah went into exile. Yet God had promised a king from David's line who would rule forever and he had a plan that was finally coming to fruition. After hundreds of years of waiting, the predicted Messiah and King was arriving.

This would be no ordinary king. He would have the Spirit of the Lord resting on him; he would partner with God the Father and the Holy Spirit in ways no one else could. He would have an incredible ability to teach and reach the people. He would be the King of an eternal kingdom arising from Israel's desolate stump.

Will you allow God to nurture your spiritual life this Christmas? Don't let your affections and obedience to God wane as your attention is given primarily to the secular holiday festivities. God can make even the less spiritual aspects of this season a holy space when His heart is allowed to shine through your actions and words. Spiritual life doesn't have to take a back seat during the holidays.

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Holy God, you are the eternal King, the loving creator of life; to you is due all praise. I am so thankful that you make spiritual life available for everyone through Jesus. Please help me to let your heart shine through my actions and words during the holidays so that everyone I meet will see you also. All glory to you, my loving God! Amen

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“Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.