Looking Forward

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:13-14 NLT

Happy New Year!  Everyone looks forward to a new year. A fresh start. Full of anticipation and so much hope for life to be better than it has been. A new beginning lovingly created by Almighty God who knew our finite selves would need new starts. 

Even though the apostle Paul is not talking about a new year in his letter to the Philippians, he does explain well the hope that is always evident in his life; one we would do well to emulate.  Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on...

In 1st Thessalonians 5:21, Paul tells us to examine everything carefully and to hold fast to that which is good. Keep the faith that has endured through the furnace of affliction, but don't drag the pain into your future. Peter further instructs us to cast all our care on the Lord because He cares for us. Let's do just that as we step into this new year. Off with the old...

In closing, I offer this New Year prayer written by the Reverend Billy Graham in 2008.

Our Father and our God, 

                                       As we stand at the beginning of this new year we confess our need of Your presence and Your guidance as we face the future.
         We each have our hopes and expectations for the year that is ahead of us—but You alone know what it holds for us, and only You can give us the strength and the wisdom we will need to meet its challenges. So help us to humbly put our hands into Your hand, and to trust You and to seek Your will for our lives during this coming year.
         In the midst of life’s uncertainties in the days ahead, assure us of the certainty of Your unchanging love.
         In the midst of life’s inevitable disappointments and heartaches, help us to turn to You for the stability and comfort we will need.
        In the midst of life’s temptations and the pull of our stubborn self-will, help us not to lose our way but to have the courage to do what is right in Your sight, regardless of the cost.
        And in the midst of our daily preoccupations and pursuits, open our eyes to the sorrows and injustices of our hurting world, and help us to respond with compassion and sacrifice to those who are friendless and in need. May our constant prayer be that of the ancient Psalmist: “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end” (Psalm 119:33).
         We pray for our nation and its leaders during these difficult times, and for all those who are seeking to bring peace and justice to our dangerous and troubled world. We pray especially for Your protection on all those who serve in our armed forces, and we thank You for their commitment to defend our freedoms, even at the cost of their own lives. Be with their families also, and assure them of Your love and concern for them.
          Bring our divided nation together, and give us a greater vision of what You would have us to be. Your Word reminds us that “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).
           As we look back over this past year we thank You for Your goodness to us—far beyond what we have deserved. May we never presume on Your past goodness or forget all Your mercies to us, but may they instead lead us to repentance, and to a new commitment to make You the foundation and center of our lives this year.
          And so, our Father, we thank You for the promise and hope of this new year, and we look forward to it with expectancy and faith. This I ask in the Name of our Lord and Savior, who by His death and resurrection has given us hope both for this world and the world to come. Amen.

Great Advice

Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 NLT

12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.
13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
16 Always be joyful.
17 Never stop praying.
18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Do You Trust You?

The trustworthy servant is the one whom the master puts in charge of all the servants of his household; it is the trustworthy servant who not only oversees all the work, but also ensures the servants are properly fed and cared for. And it is, of course, crucial that a servant who is given such responsibility performs his responsibility to his master’s standards—so when the master returns he finds his trust has been rewarded. For then the master will put that good servant in charge of all his possessions. But imagine that the master’s trust was misplaced, that the supposedly responsible servant is actually a thief who says to himself, ‘My master has been gone so long, he is not possibly coming back.’ Then he beats his fellow servants and dines and drinks with drunkards. Well, when the master returns—as certainly he will—the servant will be caught unawares. The master will return on a day and at an hour when he isn’t expected. And he will cut his worthless servant into pieces and throw him out into darkness with the hypocrites, where there is weeping and grinding of teeth.
Matthew 24:45-51 The Voice

Excerpt from one of Brian Hardin’s commentary on Daily Audio Bible.

When the Master comes back, He’ll catch that servant unprepared. It’ll be a surprise because the servant thought, ‘He’s never coming back, so I guess this place is mine now.’ The Master will come when He’s NOT expected and it won’t go well at all for the servant. This isn’t the first time Jesus told a story like this. So it’s a pretty important story to Jesus. Obviously, we can very easily read into the story and say, ‘Okay, I am the servant and this shows me I need to be vigilantly prepared for the imminent arrival of the King.’ So, let’s do an exercise…

The King has many properties – much belongs to the kingdom. So He’s put His individual servants in charge or responsible for many different domains. If we’re the servant than what we steward is what we’re in charge of. So often, we DO behave as if ‘you know, maybe He’s coming back – maybe He’s not, but I have to manage what’s mine in the meantime’, as opposed to understanding that we’re a servant – and NONE of it is ours. We are simply invited to be vigilantly on guard over the Master’s things and people.

So look at your life. What are you responsible for stewarding? Your home, your spouse, your children, your relationships, the work of your hands, the harvest of your life, the use of your gift or gifts and talents. In some cases, that is what you create physically in this world and in other cases, it’s what you create in establishing shalom - wholeness between people and inside relationships.

So here’s the REFRAME – or the big question: If you were God, would YOU trust YOU? That is worth some time today. That is worth some careful consideration – inviting the Holy Spirit into that question. Are you vigilantly guarding - as a resource of the Kingdom - your relationship with your spouse? With your kids? With the decisions you make about your financial resources? With the decisions you make about your home or job or are we living as if He is NOT coming back?

… Jesus is giving all this narrative and it comes down to this story which does what Jesus always does – cut through the crap, throw up a mirror and force us to look at it so that we are exposed. NOT to shame us; we don’t really see Jesus shaming anyone. He is willing to confront… [so we can be different].”

(end excerpt)

So, if you were God, would you trust you? If not, let’s get on our knees, repent, and actively, deliberately, intentionally make the choices to BE trustworthy, so that when He returns, He will find US faithful.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for loving us so much that You will confront our sin with Your Truth. Do a deep work, an eternal work on our hearts this day, O God. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Balanced Change

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8 NLT

The frantic hoopla and the preparation and the parties are over... well, almost. How do we balance the adrenaline rush of Christmas with the rest of winter? It's so anticlimactic...

That tends to happen when we live our lives and have our expectations based on what's going on around us, rather than IN us. When we ask Jesus to be our Savior and invite Him into our lives, we have a constant, a balance, a solid Rock.

In Malachi 3, God tells us, I am the LORD, I change not. That's how we know we can count on God, lean on Him, rest in Him, and according to Scripture, in Him live, move and have our being. It doesn't matter how many laws are written to allow or justify sin, God doesn't change to adjust to society's demands or the latest trends. He doesn't change His mind in the midst of the storms of life, in the swells of life or in the depths. He ain't "woke" according to today's world, but His Word declares He never slumbers or sleeps when it comes to taking care of His own (Psalm 121:4).

We all know life is made up of change. Life as we know it changes so quickly and sometimes so violently, it's hard to keep an even keel. What does that mean? Even keel is a nautical term and it refers to the boat staying steady and not being tossed about. The reason is that it draws the same amount of water abaft as forward. Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the Living Water. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If we steadily draw from Him, His Word, we will always be on an even keel.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for being the One thing we can count on to keep us anchored and steady. Let Your light guide us through the storms, in the swells and in the depths. Keep us on an even keel, Lord. Draw us ever closer to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

His Mercy Endures Forever

 Thank God, who did it all! His love never quits!

Psalm 136:26 The Message Bible

I was a child the first time I read this Psalm in the King James Version. Instead of His love never quits; it was his mercy endureth forever. And yes, it's from the same Hebrew word - Checed - that I've mentioned before.

I really hated reading this one as a child. I couldn't seem to hear the Thank God parts of it because every other line was his mercy endureth forever - or now in the Message, His love never quits. As a child, it obliterated the rest of the psalm for me because of the constant repetition.

As an adult, I can't seem to remember all the other parts, but for a totally different reason. Now, I LOVE this Psalm!! His mercy endures forever!! His love never quits!!! He did it all and through all of it - His mercy endures forever!! His love never quits!!! THINK ABOUT THAT! Let it soak into and manifest in your spirit. His mercy endures forever!! His love never quits!!! Praise His Holy Name!!

Yes!! Thank God, who did it all! His love never quits!

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You that Your mercy endures forever and that Your love never quits, because we are in constant need of both. Let this Rhema Word come alive in us! Thank You for Your Word to us to carry us through. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Making Plans

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 NIV

Christmas Day is coming to a close. All the proverbial hustle and bustle, done for the most part. If it's been good, we'll bask in the afterglow of it for the rest of December, and perhaps make plans for the New Year. If it's been difficult, we'll breathe a sigh of relief and hope the New Year brings a change for the better, and perhaps make plans accordingly. Whether loosely or rigidly made, there's usually a plan of some kind. Open-ended or defined down to the last detail, we have an idea of what we plan to do.

Joseph had plans. I'm sure the original set did NOT include a pre-wedding pregnancy and a trip to Bethlehem by donkey with a woman who was 9 months pregnant. As a carpenter, I'm pretty sure Joseph never planned to not be able to provide a clean environment for Mary to birth her first child - God's child! Can you even imagine being given the responsibility of caring and providing for God's child?

I've listened to the Christmas story in the book of Luke every day this month with that perspective in mind. I thought I knew the story. No, I knew the outline, not the details. It's like singing Christmas carols, we sing the songs learned by rote as children. Do we grasp the great truths? The glimpses of glory? Not usually...

Have you ever stopped to consider the details not mentioned in the story? Did you ever wonder why God didn't make Mary's last trimester easier? And let's not forget moving with a toddler to Egypt and then later back to Nazareth. It's not like they could rent a U-Haul.

I think about John whose life was all about heralding the Christ. I think about Jesus whose sole purpose in coming in the flesh was to make atonement for our sins so we could be redeemed back to God. John in prison sent disciples to ask Jesus - "Are You the One?" (Luke 7:19). John was beheaded. Jesus was crucified. Both died horrible deaths but died believing God's purpose. 

So the question is, can we believe God's purpose for our lives is perfect - even when life doesn't go according to our plans?

Prayer:

Father,

           We pray according to Your Word in Psalm 33, We wait in hope for You, Lord; You are our help and our shield. In You our hearts rejoice, for we trust in Your holy Name. May Your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Advent - Day 28 - Changed

Thank you for walking through the Advent season with me. My wish is that we will allow the gifts we have been given - hope, peace, joy, and love - to be fully manifested in our lives. Merry Christmas! 

Love in Christ, Andréa

Day 28 is written fully by Compassion Canada
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As we have journeyed through Advent together, we have unwrapped the good gifts that God has given us. Gifts of hope, peace, joy and love. They are the gifts that came swaddled in a manger that first Christmas Day. The baby in a manger who would make a way for the good life of hope, who would proclaim the good news of peace, who would walk in the good deeds that spark joy, and who would give the good gift of love, Himself.

It was to the shepherds that this wonderful news was first proclaimed, to the humble, the poor, the vulnerable. The glory of the Lord shone brilliantly in that field of sheep and the “good news of great joy” was shared: God’s good and perfect gift had been given.

As we reflect this Christmas on every good and perfect gift that God has given us, let’s respond like the shepherds.

Let’s rush to the presence of Jesus. (Luke 2:15-16)

Let’s gather around the good and perfect gift of God with worship and adoration.

And then, let’s return to our jobs, our tasks, our daily lives, changed. (Luke 2:20)

Let’s live to glorify God and shine His light brilliantly by sharing His hope, peace, joy, and love with the world around us.

Prayer:

God,
         I know that every good gift comes from You. Today, I rush to the presence of Jesus, the greatest gift of all and I ponder Your hope, peace, joy and love anew. But I know that I cannot remain beside the manger because You did not remain there. You lived Your life continuing to give hope, peace, joy and love to others. Help me to carry every good gift You have given me into the world. Amen.

Advent - Day 27 - Needs

I have chosen a different devotional for the remainder of Advent. It is rich.

It is titled "Every Good Gift" and is written fully by Compassion Canada
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The year behind us has certainly been full of challenges. It has been dark. It has been broken. It has felt heavy. If ever we have needed the good gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love, it is now. A good gift can be a comfort, a joy, a reason to hope.

Our verse for this week is nestled in a letter that James is writing to his church who is facing a turbulent, threatening and challenging time. James leads off his letter with these words:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” (James 1:2)

Trials, James goes on to share, which test your faith (1:3), demand wisdom you may not have (1:5), humble you (1:9-10), ask you to persevere (1:12) and confront your sinful desires (1:14). It is within this context—the wide and varied challenges of life in its most difficult seasons—that James shares our verse for this week: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

The good and perfect gifts that James is talking about are those that meet our needs when we need them most. When we face the trials and challenges of life, they are the things that lead us closer to Christ and refine us to look like Him.

Romans 8 reminds us that we can stand firm amidst the challenges of life when God gives His love. 

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-32, 35, 37-39, emphasis added)

The world has been dark, broken and heavy. It is facing challenges and trials and there are many people with significant needs. We can represent Christ through the good gifts we give. The gifts that meet real needs when it is needed most. Good gifts show the love of God because God loved us so much that He gave.

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

Prayer:

God, 

        You gave Your Son because You loved me. And that love is what gives me everything I need for this life. Your gifts are good and perfect because they are what I need the most—the strength to walk through the trials and all that I need for life and godliness. Guide me to give good gifts so that I can show the love of God to those around me. Amen.

Advent - Day 26 - Love Gives

I have chosen a different devotional for the remainder of Advent. It is rich.
It is titled "Every Good Gift" and is written fully by Compassion Canada
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Love gives. We have learned that truth this week. But love is also the gift.

This Advent we have been unwrapping the greatest gift of all: Jesus. We have seen how God’s good and perfect gifts are the hope, peace and joy found in Him. But there is one more gift that we have been unwrapping this week: love.

We have reflected on how God is a gift-giving God, how His gifts are an expression of love for us and how we can reflect His love to others by giving generously. But as we near Christmas Day, when Love became incarnate and was swaddled in a manger, it is a good reminder that Love gives and Love is the gift. God gave us the gift of His Son, but Jesus came willingly, knowing that one day He would have to bear the Cross on our behalf. Jesus gave Himself.

“[Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8).

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us” (1 John 3:16).

So today, reflect on the wonderful truth that Love gave Love. Savor the gift of that love and allow it fill your heart today. It is only then that we are positioned to love others.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” (John 15:9).

Prayer:

Jesus, 

          Thank You for Your love! You are the greatest gift I’ve been given and the greatest love I have ever known. What a good and perfect gift! I know that as the love You give fills my heart, I will have more love to give others. Love gives love. Help me to remain in Your love today. Amen.

Advent - Day 25 - Shadows

I have chosen a different devotional for the remainder of Advent. It is rich.

It is titled "Every Good Gift" and is written fully by Compassion Canada
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Our verse this week contains a juxtaposition. Do you know what it is? Hint: we touched on it in yesterday’s reflection on light.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17, emphasis added)

James contrasts heavenly lights and shifting shadows. Yesterday, we looked at how God is light and how that light shines His love into the darkness of our world. Today, we are going to travel to the other side of this tension and consider what James means when he comments that God “…does not change like shifting shadows.”

Shifting shadows is an obvious comparison to heavenly lights. We can all understand the contrast between light and darkness. Less obvious but implicit in this turn of phrase, is the element of faithfulness in contrast with unreliability. God is faithful and does not change as the shadows do. If God is light, then He is always light with no darkness in Him. (1 John 1:5) He is “the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) We can trust that His gifts will always be good and perfect because His love never changes.

This teaches us an important lesson about love. Love does not come and go like shifting shadows, it remains constant and faithful. It is a light that does not change with shifting shadows of a world that is unstable and insecure. It is something others can rely on.

Prayer:

Father, 

           You are faithful in Your love to me. Constant and never changing, I can rely on Your love and trust Your good gifts. The world around me may shift like shadows, but You stand in contrast to the world. Today, I ask that You will show me how to love others in the same faithful way that I might reflect Your character and goodness to a chaotic and turbulent world. Amen.

Advent - Day 24 - Light

I have chosen a different devotional for the remainder of Advent. It is rich.
It is titled "Every Good Gift" and is written fully by Compassion Canada
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For many, Christmas lights are a favourite part of the holiday season. Twinkling lights in frosted windows, the warm glow of the Christmas tree in the corner, favourite holiday candles flickering merrily and streets aglow with rows of cheerful strings of lights. It is a hallmark of the season. Light is an important part of Christmas.

Light is an important part of God, too. We see that all throughout Scripture. In fact, we can see it in our verse for this week:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

If we are honest, so many people’s lives are like the shifting shadows like James describes. Our world feels unstable, unsteady and dark. Things change. People change. Hope, joy and peace are lost in the darkness of a world without God.

But, God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)

Jesus told us, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, emphasis added)

God is light and love. Advent reminds us of this. God gave us His Son because He loves us and Jesus is the light of the world that overcomes the darkness. It is because of God’s love that He shines His light in our lives, giving us good gifts such as hope, peace and joy. It is love that shines the light of God into people’s lives.

“Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble” (1 John 2:8-11, emphasis added)

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:7-11, emphasis added)

Love lights up the darkness. And in a season where we are surrounded by the warmth of Christmas lights, may we choose to shine the heavenly light of our Father who has shown us how to love through giving good gifts.

Prayer:

Father of heavenly lights, 

                 As I look around in this season, I am surrounded by the beauty of light. Let the lights in my home, in the streets and places I go remind me to love others like You have loved me. Your love is one that dispels darkness and brings the good gifts of hope, peace and joy into our lives. May I reflect Your heart in the gifts I give and the light I shine this Christmas. Amen.

Advent - Day 23 - Gifts

I have chosen a different devotional for the remainder of Advent. It is rich.
It is titled "Every Good Gift" and is written fully by Compassion Canada
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God is a gift-giving God. Pause. That was an easy-enough sentence to read at the outset of today’s reflection, but have you ever paused to really think about that truth? It truly is remarkable. The God of the universe, the One who created all things, the One who is perfect in power, presence and knowledge, is a God who gives us gifts! What a humbling truth to settle in our hearts this Christmas.

Through God’s Word (which is one of His good and perfect gifts!), we learn that God shows His love through gifts.

John 3:16 is a beloved verse that reminds us of God’s greatest gift. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This is the gift we celebrate at Christmas time when we remember the moment that God came as a baby, born in a manger, to one day provide a way to eternal life.

Though Jesus is the ultimate gift, God continues to lavishly give good and perfect gifts to us. Consider our verse for this week, James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (emphasis added)

God is a gift-giving God and He doesn’t change, so He will continue to give gifts to those He loves. Gifts such as salvation and grace. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) In Second Corinthians, Paul calls the gift of grace God’s “indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15) Jesus says, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10). There are many spiritual blessings we have received from God that refresh and restore our souls. He also gives us spiritual gifts in order that we might be a blessing to others and share the love of God with them. First Corinthians 12:4 says, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.” But God’s gifts aren’t only spiritual. He gives us gifts that impact our physical lives as well. Ecclesiastes 3:13 says “…that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.”

God is a gift-giving God. Pause. How can you thank Him for His good and perfect gifts today?

Prayer:

Father, 

           It is amazing to me that You are a gift-giving God. You have given the gift of Your Son, Jesus, and in this season, I think deeply on that precious gift. You also never change and so I can trust that You continue to give good gifts. Today, I pause to think on who You are as a gift-giving God, and I say thank You for the wonderful gifts You have given to me. Amen.

Advent - Day 22 - Perfect Gift-Giving

I have chosen a different devotional for the remainder of Advent. It is rich.
It is titled "Every Good Gift" and is written fully by Compassion Canada
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It is probably safe to say that the world around you has been thinking about, purchasing, wrapping, and giving gifts to one another. 'Tis the season, right? Christmas is a time of gift-giving. Often, we approach this season guarding our hearts from materialism and bolstering ourselves to not miss the true reason for the season in the hustle and bustle. But perhaps this Christmas we can use the hustle and bustle around us to remind us of two precious truths:

Gifts are an expression of love

and

God is a gift-giver.

Certainly, gift-giving can get out of hand at this time of year. Stress and delivery dates, budgets, expectations, and shopping trips can all drain the joy out of gift-giving. But, if we take a moment to truly think about why we give gifts, we can see that it is an expression of love for those in our lives. At the very least, it is acknowledging one another through an act of generosity. When we realize the incredible power of gifts to express love to others, it can inspire joy in the practice once again.

Not only are gifts an expression of our love, but they can also be a way to reflect the heart of God to others. God Himself is a gift-giver. In fact, that is what Christmas celebrates. God gave lavishly to the world when He gave us Jesus. All through this Advent season we have been unwrapping the good gifts that God gave us in Jesus—gifts such as hope, peace and joy. We have also taken time to consider how we can give those gifts to others. Why? Because if we want to reflect the heart of God in the world, we have to love like Him.

James 1:17 tells us where every good gift truly comes from: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

... As we get nearer to Christmas Day, let’s remember that a gift expresses love and reflects the heart of God to others. It can be more than a present. It can be a reminder of God’s love in a broken world.

Prayer:

God, 

        Thank You for Your good and perfect gifts in my life. In this moment, I pause and remember the greatest gift of all—Jesus. May I remember that You gave Your Son because You loved me. Help me to reframe my thinking this Christmas to see gift-giving as a way of reflecting Your love to the world around me. Show me the gifts You would have me give in order to love people well. Amen.

Advent - Day 21 - Joy of Our Salvation

I have chosen a different devotional for the remainder of Advent. It is rich.
It is titled "Every Good Gift" and is written fully by Compassion Canada
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This week we have reflected on how God’s commandments are the revelation of His perfect will. And when Jesus came, it was with the mission to fulfill the perfect will of the Father. He left us with the same commandment: follow my commandments that your joy may be full.

As we joyfully prepare our hearts for Christmas, let us also reflect on the joy that is produced in our lives through our good deeds. As we have studied and prayed this week, we have seen that there is a joy that is already present in our lives, the one we received when we accepted the life of Jesus. The joy of our salvation. Even in the storms of life, we are called to guard this joy at all costs.

We’ve also reflected daily on the fullness of joy that is found in the presence of God. We see that as we consistently worship God in the place of prayer, just as Jesus did constantly, we have access to this full joy. We draw from the abundance available in God.

Finally, this week, we walked with Jesus as He showed us what it means to walk in God’s perfect will for our lives. What it looks like to walk in alignment with the words, “it is written.” (Matthew 4) He teaches us that to love God is to follow His Word and obey it. David puts it this way: “Your word have I hidden in my heart, so that I will not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11)

Jesus makes us this beautiful promise: “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:10)

Obey God, that your joy may be complete.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

Jesus captures all the commandments in these two. And He showed us how to live them.

It’s true: there is a different kind of joy that comes with knowing you are walking in the will of God. There is an abundant joy that overflows within you when you know that you are helping and transforming lives. That you are making an impact by helping people see and know Jesus.

May this be our testimony. That we begin to love God with everything we are and have. That we pursue His Word with a deep hunger and thirst and when we find it, may we walk in obedience to it. That we find our purpose in His Word and fulfill His Will.

Prayer:

Father, 

           I love You, but I want to love You more. I want to know You more. I desire a fresh encounter with You and a thirst for Your word. Holy Spirit, pour upon me the spirit of prayer, so that I can keep coming to You and learning. Help me to live as Jesus did, to desire Your will above all things. Father, help me to find my purpose in Your Kingdom agenda, so that I can fulfill Your will for my life through good deeds done in love, that my joy may be full. Amen.

Advent - Day 20 - Discipling

I have chosen a different devotional for the remainder of Advent. It is rich.

It is titled "Every Good Gift" and is written fully by Compassion Canada
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Jesus said these words to Peter three times: Feed my sheep.

“Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17)

As Jesus followers, we are all called to make disciples.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Maybe we are more than writers, teachers, leaders, mentors. Could it be that we are to faithfully model what it looks like to be like Christ in our good deeds, so that others can submit to the process of being made into His image too? Just as Jesus came to reveal to us who the Father truly is, perhaps we are to reveal to the world who Jesus truly is.

“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

Whoever sees us should see Jesus. Our salvation has given us the life of Christ. The Holy Spirit, hand in hand with the ministry of the Word of God, continues to form in us the likeness of Jesus. With this comes a strong desire to see others spiritually developed and matured so they can also be like Christ to their own families, communities and the world.

So, maybe you’re a homeschool mom, a brother, an aunt, a father-in-law; Jesus is calling us alike to disciple those that He has entrusted to us. Reflect on how you can model Jesus to those around you through your good deeds this Christmas so that they will want to know Jesus and be like Him too.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, 

                  Show me what it means to disciple those around me. Speak through me as I speak, teach, lead and do good. Help me to study the Word, so that I can always teach Your truth alone. Go ahead of me and prepare the hearts of all those I will disciple, so that they can receive Your Word. Amen.

Advent - Day 19 - Forgiveness

I have chosen a different devotional for the remainder of Advent. It is rich.
It is titled "Every Good Gift" and is written fully by Compassion Canada
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“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)

We never have to wonder if forgiveness is God’s will. It always is. Jesus tells us that as we show mercy, so it shall be shown to us. But when we think about how often we are hurt by others or they are hurt by us, we wonder how do we forgive like Jesus? How do we show this kind of mercy when we are deeply hurt?

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” (Matthew 18:22)

Jesus charges us to forgive as many times as we are wronged.

Once again, we are reminded that to do anything as Jesus did, is to become more like Him.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)

Jesus came to call the sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32) He came as God’s letter of forgiveness to a sinful world. To everyone He met, touched and healed, He would say: your sins are forgiven. Jesus was showing us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the enemy of our soul. (Ephesians 6:12) He forgave sins and cast out evil spirits. When we have this revelation, we can forgive freely. When we understand that the enemy has mastered ways to turn people against their loved ones through offense and bitterness, then will we be quick to offer forgiveness so that we can open the door to reconciliation and restoration, just as Jesus has for us.

Forgiveness always leads to joy. It’s often not an easy road, but it is always one that is worth taking for the joy that will surely follow.

Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to begin this work in us this Christmas, so that we can recognize that people are not the enemy. That the one enemy we have, Jesus has put under His feet. (Psalm 110:1) Doesn’t that just put a spring in your step?

Prayer:

Precious Holy Spirit, 

                                 I give You full permission to begin Your glorious work within me. Create within me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me. Settle within me the revelation that I do not wrestle against people. Help me to see that You have won all the victory for me so that I can forgive quickly, truly find mercy and experience the joy of restored relationships. Amen.

Advent - Day 18 - Change

I have chosen a different devotional for the remainder of Advent. It is rich.

It is titled "Every Good Gift" and is written fully by Compassion Canada
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Jesus lived out His intimacy with God. Continually, He slipped away from His disciples and crowds of people to a quiet place to pray. Jesus was intentional to show us that it is only through constant fellowship with God and the Holy Spirit that we can do the will of the Father and bring the Kingdom of heaven to earth. Jesus’ life teaches us that prayer is essential.

“Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

A life of continual prayer is essential for us as believers. Prayer is the channel through which we commune with God and the pathway through which we call heaven to come to earth. It is the way we bring into manifestation the blessings that the Lord has promised us.

Jesus said, “When you pray, say: “Father hallowed be Your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” (Luke 11:2-3)

Heaven on earth, God with us.

There were many who had awaited the coming of the Messiah. But there were those who travailed in fervent prayer for the coming of the Saviour. One of them was Anna the old prophetess, whom the Bible described as never leaving the temple, praying, fasting and worshipping night and day. (Luke 2:36-38) Another was Simeon, described as righteous and devout, who was also awaiting the consolation of Israel. (Luke 2:25-35) Both beheld baby Jesus as He was brought to be presented in the Temple. Their eyes had finally seen whom they had been praying for and it brought them great joy.

But even in those times when change tarries, we are called to pray still. Because as long as we keep praying, even when things seemingly remain the same, we are changed. As long as we keep coming to the secret place of prayer, the Holy Spirit continues to work on the renewing of our minds, the transformation of our hearts and the edification of our spirits. Just like on the Mount of Transfiguration, where the countenance of Jesus was altered, in the place of prayer we are also changed. We are also transfigured and transformed into the image of Christ. (Luke 9:29)

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, 

                  Pour upon me the unquenchable desire for prayer. Show me the way to the secret place where I can meet with God in ways I never have before. Help me to pray like Jesus did, so that I can be transformed into His image and likeness and live as He lived to glorify God. Amen.

Advent - Day 17 - True Service

I have chosen a different devotional for the remainder of Advent. It is rich.

It is titled "Every Good Gift" and is written fully by Compassion Canada
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Today, we sit with Jesus as He exemplifies true service. Contrary to what the world may have us believe—that our good deeds are things we do for others in the open—Jesus calls us to a higher service. The kind of service that doesn’t boast in itself. A service that is done when no one is watching. True service is the good deeds done from a place of deep and genuine joy and love for Jesus and one another.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14 NKJV)

Imagine a world where we all served. The kind of service that lays down personal ambition and comfort to be present for others. Service to the people who may never thank us. Service out of honor, out of love, out of the commitment to follow the example of Jesus. Service for the sole purpose of bringing God all the glory. No applause. No lights. No stage. No cameras. No one watching but the One that truly matters.

Service.

When Ruth refused to leave her mother-in-law even after she lost her husband and had every cause to do so, she didn’t know for sure that anything good awaited her. She was just so committed to serving her mother-in-law that she laid down her own ambition and will, so that she could follow her no matter where the journey took them. She chose a higher service. This journey not only led her to her husband and the restoration of their family but ultimately wove her into the lineage of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

There’s no telling how far our good deeds can go. Our service can become the pathway that brings forth a miracle. Our service sets us apart in a world where everyone wants to lead and not serve. The mandate that Christ gave us is for us to lay down our lives, carry our cross, and follow Him wherever the journey may lead. (Matthew 16:24).

The service that Jesus calls us to is one that wells out of a deep compassion for others and strong desire to serve them just as we know Jesus, Himself, would. This kind of service and sacrifice produce in us a deep joy that we often cannot explain, but one that is shared by both the giver and receiver.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

Prayer:

Precious Holy Spirit,

                                Stir within me a passion for the kind of service that Jesus exemplified. Give me the desires of Your own heart and let me be Your expression to those I meet and serve. Let my good deeds bring You joy. May they bring joy to others. And may my heart be filled with the joy that comes from a heart of service. Amen.

Advent - Day 16 - Joy in Obedience

I have chosen a different devotional for the remainder of Advent. It is rich.
It is titled "Every Good Gift" and is written fully by Compassion Canada
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Do you know what a love language is? A love language is the unique way that each of us most readily receive and recognize love. Knowing if your spouse needs a word of affirmation, if your child needs a hug or if your friend needs some time to connect is a way to bring them joy because you are speaking to them in their unique love language.

This Advent season, as we look closer into the theme of joy, it is worth observing what brings joy to God. One thing that is unmissable throughout Scripture is that God’s love language is obedience and our obedience brings Him great joy. He delights in our obedience and rewards it with joy and increase.

Repeated in His covenant with kings, nations and generations are promises such as “If you follow My statutes and carefully keep My commandments, I will give you rains in their season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit.” (Leviticus 26:3)

David knew how to reach the heart of God. He delighted greatly in God’s commandments. He loved God so deeply and passionately that He wanted nothing more than to obey and acknowledge God in all his ways. “I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold.” (Psalm 119:127)

To truly love God, is to truly love His decrees.

When we believe that His plans for us are always for our good then we will begin to love His commands. We will begin to live our lives solely by the doctrines in His Word and our words and actions will begin to echo the heart of God. The world around us will never have to ask if we are followers of Jesus because it’ll be clear and unmistakable.

David understood this and was committed to living according to God’s laws. God found such great joy in David’s obedient heart that He lovingly referred to Him as a “man after His heart,” but also went further to establish an everlasting covenant with Him.

“Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'' (2 Samuel 7:16)

The fulfillment of God’s promises is hinged on our obedience and surrender.

When Mary was visited by the angel who foretold the birth of Jesus, he said, “You will conceive a son, and you are to call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of The Most High. The Lord will give Him the throne of His Father David.” (Luke 1: 31-32, emphasis added)

While Mary didn’t know much of what was to come, she yielded to God. “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)

Our world won’t always understand when we choose to follow Jesus and obey Him. Many times, even we won’t fully understand, but we can simply choose to trust and obey His Word. When we speak God’s love language of obedience, we bring Him joy. He promises and has proven through Scripture that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Our obedience is always rewarded with His joy, increase and even much more than we can ever think or imagine.

Prayer:

Father, 

           Help me to desire and hunger for Your Word above all things. Holy Spirit, help me to follow the commands of Jesus. Set my life apart as I follow You. Give me the kind of heart that thirsts after You and pursues Your presence no matter the cost. Amen.

Advent - Day 15 - Every Good Gift - Joy

I have chosen a different devotional for the next two weeks of Advent. It is rich.
It is titled "Every Good Gift" and is written fully by Compassion Canada
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“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

The third week of Advent invites us to dive right into joy. Even in this festive season when hardships remain, the Holy Spirit is inviting us into the Presence of the Father where there is joy available in its fullness. Together, we will see how following Jesus and yielding to the Holy Spirit is the pathway to a joy that is complete and perfect.

These past couple of years have been particularly hard for everyone. We thought we had seen the worst of life’s storms when the pandemic turned our world upside down. We lost people, things and connection. And while all these uncertainties have surrounded us and continue their attempt to disrupt our lives and break our faith, Jesus shows us a better way: even amid the worst of storms, we can still have joy.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

Being joyful in the face of difficulties is hard. It’ll cost us to remain hopeful when nothing seems to be changing. But could it be that our joy births the strength we need in every season? The joy of the Lord is our strength. (Nehemiah 8:10) Could it be that joy is the strength through which we remain steadfast? Joy, our staying power. The strength through which we can be patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. Joy is the strength we stand upon in the face of adversity.

Joy like a river.

How do we make joy our daily posture and not just a seasonal one? We don’t want the kind of joy that comes only during the season of Christmas and other celebrations, we want the joy that remains. The joy that reveals that Jesus is Lord in every season. When we received Jesus into our hearts, we received His joy...the joy of salvation (Psalm 51:12). And as we intentionally pursue the presence of God through consistent prayer, we begin to draw more joy from His abundant flow, and this becomes our place of habitation. The more we keep coming to draw, the more the Lord begins to write His commandments upon our hearts. He begins to create in us a clean heart and renew in us the right spirit that desires to do His perfect will.

“If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:10)

Good deeds bring fullness of joy. Jesus teaches us that there is a different kind of joy called: complete and perfect joy, which comes as a result of loving God and keeping His commandments. He teaches us that pursuing and doing the perfect will of the Father is how our joy is made perfect. The Bible tells us that Jesus went about doing good everywhere He went. Our good deeds are birthed out of our love for God. Our good deeds please God. Our good deeds bring us joy...

...There is a kind of joy that overflows in our hearts when we make an impact in the lives of others. This is the kind of joy Jesus is offering us as He calls us to a life of service and sacrifice. May we reflect on how our lives can make a difference in our broken world. May we begin to rise as the light of the world that we are.

Prayer:

Precious Holy Spirit, 

                                Keep me dwelling in the glorious presence of the Father so that my joy may be full. Help me to always rejoice in the joy of my salvation. Open my eyes to ways and places I can let my joy overflow and put my faith into action. Write your laws upon my heart O Lord, give me the grace to follow them, so that my deeds can be pleasing to You, glorify You and that my joy may be complete. Amen.

Advent - Day Fourteen

 For Advent this year, we are reading A Weary World Rejoices written by Brittany Rust   **************************************************************

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:4-6 NKJV

He took up your [our] pain, sin, and infirmities to bring you [us] life. Exchanging His peace for suffering so that you [we] might have peace as well. Verse six says we have all gone astray, and that means you [and me]. But Jesus is the Great Shepherd who gathers His sheep into the fold and protects them with His rod and staff. That’s the comfort you and I have in Christ.

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Prayer:

Father,
            How do we thank You for all the provision made by Jesus the Christ? His life and death covered it all - every sin, every sorrow, every need - big and small. He only is our Source of pure joy and peace, not as the world knows it, but as only Christ can give us - untouchable by circumstances - and found only in relationship with Him. And to think that You loved us so much that You sent Your Son to die in our place, to pay the debt for our sins and sinful choices. And yet we come humbly before You, asking that You keep us ever mindful of what it cost to pay for our redemption. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Advent - Day Thirteen

 For Advent this year, we are reading A Weary World Rejoices written by Brittany Rust  
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Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.

Isaiah 53:1-3 NLT

He was rejected and despised by men. And He suffered for our sake, that we might have life. We must not forget that when Jesus came to earth, He came intending to suffer and die a sinner’s death. A man who knew no sin at all would take every single one for us.

Today, reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made, which served as the whole reason He came in the first place.
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Prayer:

Father,

          We pray again Paul's prayer for believers - that we would have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Your love is - that the whole reason You came was to die in our place to pay for our sins. May we experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully, so that we will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Advent - Day Twelve

 For Advent this year, we are reading A Weary World Rejoices written by Brittany Rust  
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The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

He came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John 1:9-14 NKJV

We are reminded of two things about Jesus in this passage: He is the light of the world and the Word made flesh. He is, inherently, a gift to us all. Because by His light, we have life (John 1:4). And because He is the Word, He is the personal wisdom of God. Through Christ, we have both life and truth. And yet, so many have and continue to deny both, sadly.

This holiday season, remember that when Jesus came, He came in life, truth, and grace to save you from your sins. That's something to celebrate!

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Prayer:

Father,
            Thank You for Life, for Truth, and for Your Grace, without which we would be eternally lost. Thank You for Your Word made flesh to teach us how to live and grow in right relationship with You. Thank You that every day You give us is a reason to celebrate - even those days that are hard. We especially thank You for who You are to us on those days. Saviour. Friend. Redeemer. Counselor. Father... Help us to remember to give thanks in all things on all days. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Advent - Day Eleven

 For Advent this year, we are reading A Weary World Rejoices written by Brittany Rust   **************************************************************

Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Matthew 2:19-23

After Herod died, Joseph had a dream that the family could return to Israel. And they settled in Nazareth to again fulfill the prophecy that the Savior would be called a Nazarene. It’s incredible to continually see this fulfillment of numerous prophecies that all confirm Jesus as the Son of God. And we’re reminded of that during this time, establishing in our hearts that we worship the one true Son of God!

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Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for the repeated confirmations of Jesus as Your Son! Thank You for the love and mercy shown to us in providing multiple assurances so there would be no doubt. We want to get it right and You knew we would need the extra guidance. You're a good, good Father! All glory and honor and praise to You, in Jesus' Name. Amen

Advent - Day Ten

For Advent this year, we are reading A Weary World Rejoices written by Brittany Rust  **************************************************************

Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah [31:15]:

“A cry was heard in Ramah—

weeping and great mourning.

Rachel weeps for her children,

refusing to be comforted,

for they are dead.”

Matthew 2:16-18 NLT

While the magi were searching for Jesus, they stopped in Jerusalem to inquire about the birth prophecy and spoke with King Herod. Herod soon set in motion a plan to kill the “King of the Jews” and ordered all boys two and under in the Bethlehem area to be killed. But it didn’t stop the plan God had for the salvation of man. God is greater than this world!

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Prayer:

Father,
           We praise You for You alone are able to overcome every attack of the enemy - the one who has tried from the beginning to steal, kill and destroy the Christ child, Saviour of the world. But as Your Word declares, Greater are You within us than he that is in the world. Accept our grateful hearts for You who is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before Your presence with exceeding joy - despite satan's best efforts, salvation has come - to You be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Advent - Day Nine

 For Advent this year, we are reading A Weary World Rejoices written by Brittany Rust   **************************************************************

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son."
Matthew 2:13-15 NKJV

In today’s passage, we read that God warned Joseph and sent the family to Egypt to both protect the boy and fulfill prophecy. Jesus had come, and God made a way where no man or evil could stop the victory to come!

No man, either, can stop what God wants to do in your life! Take time today to celebrate His sovereignty and protection.
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Prayer:

Father,
           We confess that we don't always understand Your way and we ask You to forgive us for those times we question Your plan for our lives. Open our eyes to see You in all circumstances. Open our hearts to feel Your presence wherever we may be. Keep us ever mindful of Your promise to never leave us nor forsake us. Guide us always and help us to faithfully follow wherever You lead. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Advent - Day Eight

For Advent this year, we are reading A Weary World Rejoices written by Brittany Rust **************************************************************
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.'” 

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

Matthew 2:1-12 NKJV

The shepherds in Luke 2 were the first visitors to gaze upon the Savior, but they weren’t the only ones. The Bible also tells of the visit the magi made to the young Jesus.

When the men from the East saw a bright star in the night sky, they followed it to Bethlehem, where they brought gifts and rejoiced at the birth of Jesus. This would have taken place sometime within the first two years of His birth and signified the arrival of the King of the Jews.

God announced the birth to the lowly within the Jewish people—the shepherds—and then He included the high-ranking officials from the East (who were not included in God’s chosen people). Quite a contrast but rather indicative of who Christ came for: all people, even the ones not deemed respectable and those who were not Jews.

We celebrate the coming of Jesus for all men and women, amen!

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Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for including ALL of us in Your master plan of redemption. Thank You for love so pure that there are no exceptions to it in Your plan. Open our eyes to see the wondrous beauty of Your love as it enfolds us. Open our hearts to be able to receive it and to offer it to everyone You place within our sphere of influence. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

ADVENT - Day Seven

 For Advent this year, we are reading A Weary World Rejoices written by Brittany Rust   ************************************************************** 

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then 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 cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Luke 2:8-21 NKJV

For thousands of years mankind waited for the coming of Christ; they longed for their King to arrive and free them from oppression. The Bible is full of Scripture pointing directly to the One who would save mankind from their sins.

When Isaiah (Isaiah 9) described His coming, he described His coming as an infant. But this child would grow and establish a Kingdom of righteousness forevermore. When we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating the moment in history when this and all prophecy was fulfilled. God came to be with us...willingly and lovingly.

But it was so much more than a birth—it was hope. It was a cause for celebration. Because when Jesus came, He also left us with the gift of salvation. His birth is significant because of His death. For thirty-three years Jesus lived a life free from sin so that He could be the perfect sacrificial lamb for the atonement of our sins. On Calvary, Christ paid the price and overcame death so that we could have victory over sin and condemnation. So, when that precious baby was born and placed in the manger, it wasn’t just another birth. It was the beginning of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. An act He didn’t have to take part in but He chose to out of love. Hallelujah!

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Prayer:

Father,
           We haven't the words to properly express just how thankful we are for Your plan of redemption - salvation for us and this sin-sick world. We pray as Paul prayed in Ephesians 3, that from Your glorious, unlimited resources You will empower us with inner strength through Your Spirit. And that Christ will make His home in our hearts as we trust in Him. We pray that our roots will grow down into Your love and keep us strong. And may we have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is Your love. May we experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then we will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes only from You. All glory to You, Father, who is able, through Your mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Advent - Day Six

For Advent this year, we are reading A Weary World Rejoices written by Brittany Rust  ************************************************************** 

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:1-7 NKJV

The time has come—the Savior is being born! The reason why we celebrate Christmas! But it wasn't exactly how many pictured the Messiah would arrive.

Joseph was from the line of David and according to a decree, that meant that Joseph and his family would have to travel to Bethlehem for a census. And even though it didn't fit the mold people expected, it fulfilled the prophecy that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

However, when Joseph and a very pregnant Mary arrived, there were no rooms left in town. All that was left was a manger in a stable. A humble place for the birth of Jesus.

God could have orchestrated for Jesus to be born in a palace—or at least a nice bed. But He didn't do that. Instead, the Father sent His only son to be born in the lowliest of conditions. Perhaps to signify that everything Jesus would do would be marked with humility. Jesus would always defy human expectations.

Remember that the God we serve is humble and lowly in heart. But also remember that He can and wants to do things very different than you might imagine.

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Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for making Jesus attainable to all. Thank You for showing us how to handle rejection - with humility and yet still able to carry on with life as we know it. Thank You for setting the finest example of love by coming down to our level so we could come to You and not be intimidated by Your obvious greatness. Open our eyes so that we may see and understand that not everything is as it appears to be. We choose to trust You. Help us to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Advent - Day Five

For Advent this year, we are reading A Weary World Rejoices written by Brittany Rust **************************************************************

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:18-21 NLT

Yesterday the angel appeared to Mary, and in this passage, he appears to Joseph. The man engaged to Mary, who was about to quietly separate due to her pregnancy, now receives his own encounter concerning the news of Jesus.

Joseph was an honorable, godly man who was obedient to God’s leading in his life. An example to us all, especially because our first inclination might not always line up with God's will. You and I are also called to a life of obedience. A life of total surrender.

What is God calling you into, and will you be faithful with it?

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Prayer:

Father,

          Forgive us for the times we have not heeded Your first call to us. Thank You for persevering in Your pursuit of saving us from ourselves. Open our eyes to see Your way. Open our ears to hear You above the other voices clamoring for our attention. Open our hearts to willingly and faithfully follow You above all else. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen