Advent Brings Faith

 

     Yesterday, on the second Sunday in December, the second purple candle was lit. This second candle represents faith. Some traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's humble beginnings:

"This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:12, NIV)

     Again, the prophets foretold the birthplace of the coming Messiah.

But you Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are small among the class of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel whose origins are from of old. Micah5:2

     No other book or person has foretold the future with 100 percent accuracy. Over 300 prophecies came true at the first coming of Jesus and even more are written about His second coming. These prophecies were written over a span of thousands of years and written by multiple authors. Have faith! Our faith pleases Him.

And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

See the baby in the manger. The Messiah has come brining good tidings of great joy!

Father,

Our faith grows as we study Your word. Jesus is the word of God in the flesh and we praise You for the gift of faith.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Come Lord Jesus

 

     The guarantee of our heavenly home should provide all we need to get through all that life brings, the good, the bad and the ugly. Remember, we live in a fallen world. Even with our sins wiped clean in God’s sight, we will remain fallen, frail human beings until we receive our new bodies and live forever in heaven.

     The earth is deteriorating along with humanity. The Bible describes all that is happening right now in our world, in great detail. None of it surprises God. The earth waits right along with us.

For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. Romans 8:19

We know that the whole creation has been groaning, as in the pains of childbirth, (Matthew 24) right up to the present time.

Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, , the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8;22-23

     The creation waits eagerly. The birds rise each morning with a song. The sunflowers turn their stunning faces to the son. Let’s do the same. We wait eagerly. Some days seem impossible to navigate. But, wait!  We have hope. Always hope. And our Savior offers all we need to get through each and every single day.

     The older we get, the more we anticipate heaven, but even the younger generation should keep an eternal perspective. The end of this short life is only the beginning of all things new and perfected. Wait in eager anticipation. He is coming again to set up a new heaven and a new earth for you and for me. Come, Lord Jesus!

Lord,

The anticipation continues throughout our lives as we draw ever nearer to heaven. We eagerly await seeing those who have gone before us. We miss them deeply. But one day soon, we will see You and we will see them and the reunion will never end.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Above the Clouds

 

     Faith, belief, trust. Jesus asks us to believe in Him, to trust Him, to have faith in Him above all else, to be filled with an everlasting hope for the future. 

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8

Maybe you have heard of Joni Eareckson Tada.  Over 50 years ago, as a teenager, she had a diving accident that left her as a quadriplegic. She has given her life to serving Christ.Through the years she has inspired millions. She is an amazing artist, painting painstakingly with her mouth. She is an author, and an advocate for those living with disabilities. Listen to this perspective from someone who has suffered so much

“I want to stay in the habit of ‘glancing’ at my problems and ‘gazing’ at my Lord.”

     Beautiful. Look above the clouds in your life to the glory of the Son. You can trust His promises. You can have faith that He knows what He is doing. Maybe like Joni, He will use your struggles to show His glory. What a privilege.

Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1

     When we look over our lives, when we are seated in heaven, the things we did for Christ will remain. Trust, believe, have faith in the One who is worthy and the One filling us with hope..

Father,

Teach us to gaze at Jesus with complete faith and trust. This short life is meant to be lived for Him. He is the missing piece. We were made for Him.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Treasure These Things

 

If you haven’t listened to the song, “Mary Did You Know?” I highly encourage you to do so. Many have sung it over the years. I love all versions and the song never fails to leave me with goosebumps and eyes filled with tears.

    Mary had an unexpected visit with an angel. Gabriel gave her the news straight from the mouth of God. Mary was highly favored in God’s sight. This young virgin would have the privilege of carrying the Son of God and raising Him. It was impossible for her to comprehend this message, nor understand all that was to come

     . Can you imagine her thoughts as this precious child grew within her womb, as she raised her face to the sky above the manger brightly lit by the star, witnessing the worship of the shepherds and the wise men, along with the full glory of the angelic host?

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

     It is hard to fathom the thoughts and ponderings of Joseph and Mary as they raised their young Son. There is little written about the childhood years of Jesus, but as they traveled among their community from Jerusalem to Nazareth, Jesus stayed behind. He was twelve years old.

     When His parents realized He was not among them, they were worried and went back to find Him. Jesus told them they should not have been surprised to find Him in His Father’s house. The others in the temple had been astonished at His maturity and understanding.

The child’s mother and father marveled at what was said about Him. Luke 2:33

     Let’s take time over this season of anticipation and hope, to treasure all of these things in our hearts and ponder them, to marvel in all of God’s ways. How can we possibly comprehend all of the marvelous works of our God? After all, His own mother and father, His sisters and brothers, and His disciples could not anticipate all that was to come.

     Jesus continues to provide moments to be treasured, insight to be pondered, and acts in which we can marvel. Treasure the moments He gives you today.

Lord,

We can’t thank You enough for the word of God that brings all of our human frailties into focus. As we ponder Your birth, and treasure the truths of who You are, as we marvel at our salvation and all that is to come, let us praise You from the mountaintops!  Jesus Christ is born!  Hallelujah!

Amen

Hang on to Hope

 

     With the uncertainties in life, there is hope. Hope remains. At the end of the struggle, with the easing of grief, with remission after treatment, with recovery, with reconciliation and forgiveness, there is hope. At the end of this earthly life, all of our longings and hopes will be realized.

     In the meantime, hang on. Hope is there. Anchor yourself with hope today.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Hebrews 6:19

     Hang on to the anchor of hope in your soul. Jesus is guiding you through the uncertainties and struggles of life. He will never let you go. Your foundation is secure with Him.

Jesus,

Sometimes it’s hard to hang on to the hope you offer. Comfort and strengthen those with uncertain futures. You know the number of our days and we hang on to You.

Amen

 

Advent Brings Hope

 

     Yesterday was the first Sunday in Advent. The season of anticipation and preparation is upon us. A  purple candle on the advent wreath is lit. This candle is typically called the "prophecy candle" or “hope candle.”  The prophet, Isaiah, as well as many others in the Old Testament foresaw the coming Messiah. He fills the world with hope.  a

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.  Isaiah 7:14

     This first candle represents a hope, an expectation, an anticipation of the coming Messiah. The prophets of old longed for His coming. The disciples and the followers of Jesus saw those prophecies fulfilled in their lifetimes. They walked with Him and talked with Him and He will come again one day soon.

     In the meantime, there is hope. We celebrate His first coming during this wonderful season of hope.

“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in You.” Psalm 39:7

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Lord,

We wait for You in hope. Prepare us for this season as we get ready to celebrate the miraculous birth of Jesus. Renew our hearts this season with the gift of hope. We also wait with hope for Your second coming. .

Amen

The Reason

 

     You may have seen or heard about the Advent tradition of reading through the Gospel of Luke beginning on December 1^st with Chapter 1 and ending on Christmas Eve with Chapter 24. It is always a good idea to revisit the Gospels and travel along through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. There is no better time than in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

     Refreshing our memories on all of the details of the life of Christ will lift us up, and fill us with renewed anticipation and expectation and celebration of all He has done and all He will do throughout our lives, and for the life ahead in our forever home.

     Maybe these verses will whet your appetite for more.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the City of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12

     The Son of God and His humble beginnings, leading to a life of service and sacrifice, leading to our redemption as He was raised to new life. Behold! A child is born. Glory to God in the highest!

Father,

Your Son brought new life and joy into this dark world. The brilliant star lit the night sky and led the shepherds and the wise men as they came to the miraculous sight of Jesus. Never let us forget. We anticipate the celebration.

In Jesus name,

Amen