God's weakness, his real strength

Took me a while this morning to find an advent devotion that I wanted to spend some time on this morning. Found one here at Bweinh.com. I have NO idea what these folks are all about, but I liked the fact that they didn't focus on the ordinary day before Christmas advent readings. Psalm 46 was the focus of their devotion.

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah.
According to Alamoth. A Song.

1God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Selah

7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

Mike writes:

Psalm 46 is a hymn to God’s strength. “We will not fear,” reads v. 2, “though the earth give way, and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” At times, this language about God’s strength turns violent: “He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire,” reads v. 10.

We don’t often associate Christmas Eve with God’s strength. It is a cozy holiday; in the eyes of the world, it is a time to celebrate the universal beauty of mother and child. In the eyes of the church, it is a time to celebrate God’s humility, not divine strength.

I read those words and I had to stop and think. You know...he's right. People think of Christmas, and they think of a baby in a manger. How cute. How totally non-threatening. It seems very far removed from Christ the Lord, Christ the Saviour, Christ the one who would live a life of teaching, miracles, death and resurrection. So far removed. So not like anything we really have to deal with. Most folks even have the wisemen coming to see a baby Jesus, not a toddler Jesus. It's all about the baby...and not really about God.

Mike continues:

Yet what if we were to recognize that Christmas Eve was in fact the greatest show of God’s strength the world has ever known? It was not earthquake, wind, and fire; it was not the raising up of one nation and the dashing of another; it was not the divine voice atop the mountain, frightening the people of Israel. Instead, ...... God was strong enough to come as a helpless Baby, ....... Of all the works of the Lord, none was more awesome than this.

What if we learned to define strength in this way? ....... But what if we started to believe that the strong don’t always look strong? What if we believe that the true strength of God lay not in His ability to overwhelm us, but to give Himself completely away for us?

........ It is the strong who are comfortable giving themselves away, knowing that in God they will always have enough.

The divine strength of God, the strong arm of Israel, lays in a manger tonight .......Can we find it in our hearts to give ourselves away like our strong God?

God tells us in his word that the weak are strong if they depend upon him (think that's in Philippians but not entirely sure). God showed his weakness to us in a baby, and those who know his word, know that in that baby holds his greatest strength. A Saviour, born to save us from our sins. A Saviour who can free us from all the wrongness that lies within us. That's what that safe, non-threatening baby represents you know...that power of God to save us from our sin. That power of God that demands an answer from us. Will we heed that call?

It Just Amazes Me

Today's reading comes from Wilshire Baptist Church, Dec. 21 reading. The scripture is Luke 1:39-45.

39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

I have to admit, this still seems astonishing to me every time I read it. That the baby in Elizabeth's womb leapt for joy when Mary came into the room. It's just amazes me. Like babies don't know that much about what is happening in the world outside of their mother's bellies. I can see them being sensitive to increased light and loud noise, but to someone coming into the room....someone who is also inside their momma's belly? How many babies would know this? It just amazes me and shows God at work.

John, who is to be the forerunner to Christ, knows Christ before he is even born and is happy about it. Neat isn't it? :)

What part of the Christmas story amazes you?

Servants to Christ

Today's devotional from "at home with the word" is based on Romans 1:1-7.

1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

7To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Did you know that Paul was a servant of Christ?
I did. :) What can I say, I grew up in a Christian home, attended church most of my life, and went to a Christian Bible College where I earned a degree in Bible and Social Work and Education. Good years for the most part.

So what does it mean to be a servant? According to Merriam-Webster a servant is:

one that serves others servant>; especially : one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer

A servant does duties for another person. That's what comes down to. A servant does stuff that someone else wants done.

So to be a servant of Christ means that we do the things that Christ wants us to.

For Paul that meant preaching the good news, for going where and when he was sent. He endured hardship of all sorts. For a couple of my friends that means being on the mission field, for another - playing in the church band and leading it, for another it means getting out of her quiet shell and being willing to put on plays on the streets of downtown Kitchener. Not always so easy to do.

For me, right now in my life, it means being challenged on a personal level, while I learn to HAPPILY keep home for a hubby and raise a child to love God. It means not being afraid to stand true for my faith in God even in a workplace filled with immoral people. Of trying to show folks that true believers really aren't scary or something to be derided.

Of course one is usually a servant for a good reason. In the working world for pay and benefits, in the everyday life world for the joy/desire/whatever of just helping out your fellow man, and in the Christian world part of it is just because of the promises of God.

God promised the world a Saviour. This is a promise that he made a long time ago. He would send his son, who would indeed be God in the flesh, as well as a full human. This Son of God would be raised from the dead. It is through him that we receive God's Grace. This son is Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the hope of all the nations, he is the one to whom we are obedient to by faith! This is our hope. This is our salvation. And this is why we are servants to him.

Let us not forget this in our Christmas celebrations.

God's Glory, Save his People

Today's devotional from "at home with the word" is based on Psalm 80.

This song is a call to God, the shepherd of his people. It is a call to God to save his people.

1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
2Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,
stir up your might
and come to save us!

3 Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!

The Psalmist asks: how long will you be angry O Lord God? How long will you be angry? You have disciplined your people, we have cried, we have been laughed at, and we have become merely an object of contention among our neighbours. Restore us o Lord is the cry.

4O LORD God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
5You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6 You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh among themselves.

7 Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Look at what you have done for us already Lord. You brought us out of Egypt, you filled the land with us. You made us great! And now oh Lord....why must you let us be ravaged? Why are we fodder for those who surround us? Turn and see us oh Lord God, cries the Psalmist. See us, see what you made, see what our enemies have done to us. See us O God is the cry.

8You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.
9You cleared the ground for it;
it took deep root and filled the land.
.......
12Why then have you broken down its walls,
so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
13 The boar from the forest ravages it,
and all that move in the field feed on it.

14Turn again, O God of hosts!
Look down from heaven, and see;
have regard for this vine,
15the stock that your right hand planted,
and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.
16They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down;
may they perish at the rebuke of your face!
17But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,
the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!
18Then we shall not turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call upon your name!

19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts!
Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Therepeated call to The Lord in this Psalm is "restore us, O lord God of hosts, let your face shine, that we might be saved". This is a call for God's glory to be seen, and as his glory is seen, his people are saved.

I read this Psalm and part of me feels a bit distanced from it. I often don't FEEL the need for God to save me. I am often so independent minded that I think.... I can do this. I can save myself. But it's that kind of thinking, that I'm independent of God, that kind of thinking that got the Israelites into trouble in the first place. We don't need to depend on God....we want a king to lead us just like everyone else. I don't need God...I can worship this idol. I don't need God...I can do good deeds and be nice and ......

See where this is going?

I do need God. I do need to call out to him regularly, this shows my reliance upon him. This shows how much I do need him in my life. I need him to save him...because I CANNOT do it on my own. No one can.

God is the only way.

This Christmas season I need to, YOU need to, see this. That God is indeed the only way to be saved. Without him there is no salvation. Without him we are fodder for our enemies....who are indeed the very enemies of God himself. Let us not be fodder!

John the Messenger

Once again I will work from the pamphlet, "at home in the word" , advent readings following the lectionary from the Reformed Church in America. Today's Reading is taken from Matthew 11:2-11. Once again I have gone with a somewhat longer selection than advised.

1When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" 4And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."

7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is he of whom it is written,

"'Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.'

11Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

16"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
17"'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'

18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."

I have to admit, I read this passage over and my very first thought was....what does this have to do with Christmas? Nothing makes me think of the promises of God, or the birth of Christ, or his eventual return or _______. So why was this picked as an advent reading?

And then I re-read these verses:

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" 4And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."

John was the forerunner to Christ. He was imprisoned because of the things he was telling folks and the powers that be didn't like that. He wanted reassurance that Christ had indeed come, and Jesus gave it to him. The Saviour of the world had come, and he was busy doing his Father's business.

And then Jesus went on to explain how John was a messenger from God. He was the one sent to prepare people for the coming of Christ. People should pay attention to him, for he is doing the job he was supposed to. As Jesus says "He who has ears to hear, let him hear".

So what am I listening to this Christmas season?
Am I listening for the words of Christ?
Am I trying to tell people what this season is really all about?

Christ came folks! He came, he died, he rose again, he will come back! :) Praise the Lord for this. It's real and true. Even as a baby people knew he was important. God sent a great messenger to proclaim his way. He performed miracles, he lives in hearts of believers, he is indeed God. Let's proclaim it this season! :)

A Promise Kept

Today's devotion is inspired by Wilshire Baptist Church, there December 13 entry. The Scripture reading is Acts 13, I'm supposed to concentrate on 23-33, but have decided to look at a slightly larger context.

"Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.' 23 Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'

26"Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30But God raised him from the dead, 31and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,

"'You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.'

34And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,

"'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.'

35Therefore he says also in another psalm,

"'You will not let your Holy One see corruption.'

36For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:
41 "'Look, you scoffers,
be astounded and perish;
for I am doing a work in your days,
a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.'"

Israel, God's people. Paul reminds the people, explaining to them how God cared for his people. Choosing their leadership and making them great. And this led to David leading them. And from David came Jesus, with John the baptist being his immediate fore-runner.

Paul tells his listeners that Jesus is salvation, and that he and the disciples understand this message of salvation and are therefore telling them. Jesus, even though the church leadership didn't understand him, is salvation. Jesus is God's son. Jesus is the one that God is well-pleased with. Jesus is the one that God raised from the dead, whose flesh is incorruptible. Jesus is the promise kept by God. Jesse's son, David's line, Saviour of the world.

Paul shows his listeners the truth of who Jesus is, using the holy scriptures to prove it. I have to admit, I like seeing those examples in Scripture...using scripture to show what we know is true. Isn't that just the way it should be? Rather than using life examples to prove scripture.

He then tells his listeners, beware, lest you be numbered among the scoffers. Look to Christ, be amazed by him. If you scoff at this truth you will perish.

I read that last verse and I sorrow for those who just don't want to believe. Those who've been shown the truth but just can't believe, or won't believe. They will perish. It renews my determination to show forth my faith a bit more to those around me who just don't believe.

Who Do You Trust In?

Once again I will work from the pamphlet, "at home in the word" , advent readings following the lectionary from the Reformed Church in America. Our reading is taken from Psalm 146. I am supposed to concentrate on verses 5-7.

1 Praise the LORD!Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

3 Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
4When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
7 who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.

It's advent right? It's a time to think about God and the salvation he has wrought in our lives. Not that we are to do that just at this time of the year, but we can focus on that a bit more around the Christmas season, keeps everything in perspective so that one doesn't get caught up in gift giving and all that.

These seven verses help to point a person in the right direction.
Don't trust in "princes".
Don't trust in a person, when all is said and done they will die and they will return to earth.
So for those who follow Mohammed, Moroni, White, Miller, Osteen, Arnott, etc. Remember this, these are only people. They have interpreted God in ways that deviate from scripture, do you really want to follow man? They will die, and in fact some of these folks have already, so should their teachings? Why follow after a dead man even if he did write a book?

True help comes from God. He is the one who "made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry." He won't die and return to the dust of the earth. His word is true and lives forever. Yes, listen to the men of God, but don't put your trust in them. Put your trust in the God that guides them, God, Jehovah, Our Lord and Saviour. And while you are at it, praise his name! :)

The Way of Holiness

Today in my hand I hold a little pamphlet put out by my denomination, the Reformed Church in America. It is called "at home in the word" and is a series of lectionary readings for Advent. I thought that I would follow it for a bit as I prefer to consider my own readings of scripture rather than to be reading some of the nonsense one finds on-line sometimes. :) At least we'll see how it goes. :)

Anyways, today's reading comes from Isaiah 35:8-10.

8 And a highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it.
It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.
9No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Okay, this was a bit confusing until I went back to the first of the chapter. This reading was a continuation of the day before. In the previous verses, the people of God are being reminded of the fact that will make things better again for them.

4Say to those who have an anxious heart,
"Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you."

And these verses continue that theme. God will make things right again for those who walk in the Way of Holiness. The Way of Holiness is for those who are redeemed, who walk in they way (even if they are foolish), and who are ransomed of God. It is the place where the redeemed (those who believe in God wholly) can be found.

10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Hmm....Just look at what I can look forward to!
Just look at the promises...even the foolish.... if they believe in God, won't stray from the path. it's there, it's set just for us.
A place where we are protected and kept from harm.
A place of singing and rejoicing.
A place that leads me to Zion where I shall obtain gladness and joy and no more sorrow or sighing and so forth.....
Ah...what a place, what a thing to look forward too! :)

Neat isn't it?

Be Patient

Today's Advent Devotion is inspired by Upper Room Daily Reflections, December 10. Though I did not get much out of their reading, I thought the scripture was appropriate today. :)

In James 5:7-11 we read:

7Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

When we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate the fact that God sent his son to earth. This son who became our hope, our joy, our example. Christ died for our sin, he suffered on the crucifixion tree, he rose up for the dead! ALIVE, our Jesus, the Christ is alive! He went up to heaven where he sits. He is promised to return to us.

This passage reminds me that Christ will return. I should be patient about waiting for him. Just as I patiently wait for my garden to grow in the summer. Just as I patiently wait for my mice babies to get big enough to sell. Just as I patiently wait for my boy child to mature just a bit more. This patience I need as I await the Lord's return. This patience that remains the same regardless of what is going on around me. It is a constant thing, it is steadfast, it doesn't complain that it is taking too long, it just waits. That's the patience that I need, that is the patience that I must cultivate.

So let me then be patient in this thing also! :)

Inspiration from John the Baptist

Today's devotion is written by me from my mom's house. Jim and I had a meeting last night, and stayed overnight at their place. They took care of Justin while we were at the meeting.

Anyways, the scripture passage I've chosen is Matthew 3:1-12. I was inspired by the Goshen College reading for December 7.

I have to admit, I didn't pay alot of attention to what they wrote as it didn't seem relevant to me. I just thought I'd go to scripture.

John the Baptist: fore-runner to Christ. He came to "prepare the way of the Lord". This was his task. He went about it single-mindedly. He was even willing to take on the established religious leadership of the day...the Pharisees and Sadducees. Nothing stopped his message of repentance.

<>His boldness I admit, inspires me. He was a man who was not dressed in the day's fashion. He was not a social animal .... he lived in the desert, ate locusts and wild honey and dressed in camel's hair and leather. Not a man of the modern world....but people came. People listened to him. People's lives were changed by his message of repentance. He pointed folks to God even though he knew his message and the baptism that he offered wasn't enough. He still did the job that he was called to.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

I need that boldness. I need to have that type of fire lit in my life. As I look forward to Christ's return, I need to preach the message of repentance and salvation to those around me, and not be scared of the consequences....Oh Lord..... light in me that fire to do your will, to do the task that you have set before me.

Are you Prepared?

Today's Advent devotion is brought to us by Wilshire Baptist Church. Our scripture reading is from Luke 12:35-48.

35 "Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

41Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?" 42And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Lee Russell says this:

This text puts us on notice that we are to be ready to meet God at any given moment. But in this season of Advent, let us look at it another way. Luke says the servant who is vigilant and taking care of his assigned tasks will be ready for the master whenever he comes and will be rewarded for his effort. He also says a burglar could not enter our homes if we knew he were coming.

I read this passage and what I ask myself is:
Who are you waiting for?
Who are you prepared for?
Whose servant am I? Do I live for myself, or do I live like I have an authority bigger than myself? Who is master?
Do I show myself ready for my master's imminent return?
Christ could return at any moment...am I ready for that?

I have to admit....I am prepared to wait a while for Christ to return. I want so much to see my boy child grow up, to see him experience life and living it for the Lord. I want this so much that sometimes I'd really rather that Christ delay his return just a bit longer. That feels rather selfish of me. BUT I am ready, I am waiting, I think my house is in order for the most part. I try to live like I have a higher authority to answer to ....and not just my hubbie. But that I live for Christ, for GOD. But I can do more, I can be waiting expectantly.

Children of Light

Today's Advent devotional is brought to us from Goshen College. I used the one dated November 29 as the one from today I has used the scripture yesterday :) . Scripture comes from Romans 13:11-14.

8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Amy writes

At first it might seem odd to consider this passage in the light of Advent. The general call to "live honorably" (and it’s more explicit explanations) seem out of place as we anticipate Christ’s arrival. It reads almost as a rebuke, a form of communication usually absent from the jolly red and white of this commercial holiday.

But when I look to the passages which precede it, I begin to discover a message worthy of this season of expectation. This passage falls on the heels of a reiteration of the Golden Rule. Paul writes, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Romans 13:9-10: "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law." This often overlooked "love" passage follows the more famous one which speaks of respecting one's government.

I begin to understand today's passage only when I see it in reference to the passages it follows. Paul tells us we fulfill the law through love. We respect the government’s authority, but ultimately recognize loving our neighbor fulfills the law. To love our neighbor is to make all other law unnecessary. To love our neighbor is to follow God even when our world tells us otherwise. This is God's dream, this is the message for which Paul calls us awake: Love your neighbor. This is the message and fulfillment we anticipate and commemorate each Advent as we await the one who has taught us to love (as well as lovingly rebuke). This is the message which will turn the world.

Love, part of the hope that we have in Christ. Through Christ, we are taught what true love is. We are taught how to love our neighbours, how to react to the government (by being subject to it), and generally just how we are to live. We are remember that we live differently now. We no longer need to walk in darkness. We are children of the light! Let us walk properly then! Let us live like Christ wants us too ... people of light, people of daytime, people who have hope in our salvation.

Our Hope for the Future

Today's Advent reading from from Bluffton University. FOr the scripture reading they have chosen Isaiah 11:1-10.

1There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
2And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
3And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
4but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
5Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
and a little child shall lead them.
7The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.
9 They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.

10In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

Laura Frey says :

During this advent season, take the time to look around at the world and realize that there is a glorious hope awaiting us, even when all signs point to hopelessness. The One who can solve all our problems is God, and our faith is essential to keep hope alive. God is our Redeemer, and on the day of Jesus’ return he will, “stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.”

Jesus Christ, born of Mary, claimed son of Joseph, both who were descended from David's line. Jesus...God's own son! He shall come. He is our hope. He is the one who will judge things as they aught to be: "He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear". He will know the right of it. He will do this through righteousness and with equity. Faithfulness and righteousness as his belt. Things will turn out as they aught to be....the predator and prey being safe with each other. There will be no hurt or decay. Jesus is our hope for the future. Have faith in him.

Advent Devotions - Dec 22

So, it's been a busy couple of days, almost forgot to do my devotions today. Yesterday I just didn't have time to get on-line, at least not long enough for devotions. Didn't like that much, so today before bed I thought hold-on....we can't let another yesterday go by so....here I am. :)

Anyways, todays scripture is taken from Romans 15, it is from, well okay, I'm not sure exactly who made it, I think Luther Hour Ministries, but I'm not sure. BUT this is where to find it on-line.

The particular verse this devotional focused on was Romans 15:13. There we read:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15 is a chapter where Paul is reminding the believers that Christ is their hope. That Christ did not just come for the Jewish people, but he also came for the gentiles, it's even written in the Old Testament. God came for all peoples.

As Paul writes in the beginning of Chapter 15

4For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God's word is written down for us. It is there for our instruction. So together, our endurance and the encouragement of Scripture will cause us to live in harmony with each other. God does not want jewish and gentile believers fighting with one another.

I personally believe that God doesn't want any of his children to be fighting with each other. We should be encouraged and taught by his word. We should be able to see from his word how God wants us to treat each other. As we live in harmony with each other, we bring further glory to God!

Hmm... that makes me think you know. That the more we Christians fight with each other....especially over silly things like musical styles, or pews/seats, organ/band/piano, hymns only or all types of worship music, and so on and so forth, the more we are NOT bringing glory to God and therefore need to seriously look at what we are doing. Let us stop and see what we are doing this Christmas season. Let us see that our reason to hope and believe is found in Christ. God sent his son down to earth, he showed mercy to us. It's the least that we can do, to live in such a way that we bring glory to his name.

The 'devotional' part of todays reading reminds us that

This Advent we may eagerly anticipate celebrating Jesus’ birth, but the celebration itself should not be what fills us with joy and peace. What fills us with God’s joy is that our Savior has already come and has won our salvation, and that He is coming again to bring our salvation to its ultimate fulfillment.

Until Jesus comes back for His second (final) coming, we live by faith through an extended Advent season. We trust that just as God has kept His promise in Christ’s first Advent, so He will also keep His promise of a glorious reunion with Jesus. This faith is what fills us with joy and peace as we hope for Christ’s coming. Because God is trustworthy, our hope is absolutely certain and true; therefore we are filled with joy and peace … right now.

Let us then live in that hope.
Let us then live as a people who trust in all the promises of God.
Let us then live as a people bringing Glory to God's name.
Let us then live in harmony with our fellow believers this Christmas.

Advent Devotions - Dec 20

Today's reading comes from Luke 1:46b-55 by way of Goshen College.

46And Mary said,

"My soul magnifies the Lord,
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
54He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever."

Mary sang a song of praise to God for what he was doing through her.

This song follows a time in her life where she visited Elizabeth who told her that

"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

Sometimes I can just imagine how scary and amazing and how hard this all must have been for Mary. She's pregnant, engaged to be married, a virgin, who just so happens to be pregnant by God, young, and a believer in the Lord God. God called her blessed. Elizabeth calls her blessed. A child, yet unborn, leaps for joy at her arrival. And she is blessed because she believes.

It's no wonder that Mary had to "ponder all these things in heart" (Luke 2:19) It would be too much to think of all at once I should think.

So just what does Mary say in her song of praise?
1. Her soul glorifies the Lord
2. Her spirit rejoices in Him. He is her Saviour.
3. She rejoices because he saw her in her humble estate, and choose to use her.
4. She knows that people will call her blessed because of what God is doing through her.
5. God is holy.
6. God is merciful to those who fear him, throughout the generations.
7. God shows his strength, he scatters the proud in heart.
8. God brings down the mighty, and exalts the humble.
9. God cares for the hungry, filling them with what they need. While the rich he gives nothing, and sends them away.
10. He helps Israel, and remembers his mercy, just as he did with their forefathers.

Mary has much to thank God for, and so she does.

Makes me wonder...
So I truly thank God for all he does in my life?
Do I see when he fills my hungry soul?
Do I see when he blesses me for humility?

These are the things I need to ask myself as I go through this season of advent.

Advent Devotions - Dec 19

Today's reading comes from Lutheran Hour Ministries and the scripture is Philippians 4:5-7.

5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

These verses are part of a reminder from Paul to stand firm in the Lord. They are practical ways to stay grounded in Christ.
1. be reasonable....why? The Lord is at hand
2. do not be anxious...why? We can let our requests be made known to God

And the end result?
The peace of God will guard our hearts and minds IN Christ.

God does not want us to be an anxious worried people.
He wants for us to be a people who know that we can go to him for everything, through Christ. That doesn't mean we can ask for things that are wrong, or selfish, or greedy....we come to him through Christ so that our requests are what they aught to be. We come to him with our requests through prayer bringing our supplications WHILE we offer him thanksgiving.

Yesterday we saw how much we have to be thankful for, so when we do bring him our requests, we aught to thank him for all he has already given us.

When we do all this...GOD'S peace will guard us. It will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ.

I read that, and it just sounds so relaxing to me. I know that I am not on duty to keep myself "all proper as a Christian". That if I come to God with all my wants and needs while thanking him for all he has done HE is the one who will guard my heart and mind with HIS peace. I don't need to do it at all then.

Wow... that's a real brain thumper for me today.
I am a person who gets so lost sometimes in my own thoughts and my 'stuff'. I have to fight so hard so many times a day to not get lost in my own brain....and I know that God wants more from me than that. But don't you see, it's not my battle...it's all God's. And that's just way cool. All I have to do is what I already try to do...but just better and with more focus. And what a way to keep me focused on God....to say God, I need help with this, and thank you for all the times that you done thus and such, or thanks for a warm house on a cold day or... you get the drift I'm sure...and then my battle for my mind won't be my battle...it will be God's. He'll guard it. Neat huh?

My brain is full to running over....

Advent Devotions - Dec 18

Every year our church gets advent devotionals from LAMP. This is a cross-cultural ministry that shares Jesus Christ with with God's people in remote areas of Canada. Their devotionals are small and written by people who participate in their ministry programs, particularly those held over the summer months.

Today's scripture is taken from Psalm 107 with a particular emphasis on verse 1.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!

When I look at the whole of this psalm, I see a song of praise to God for all that he has done.

I see God has redeemed his people from trouble.
I see God has gathered his people in from all the lands.
I see God caring for his people, regardless of the situation they are found in.
I see God answering the call of his people in distress.
I see God being thanked for his steadfast love and for all the works he has done.
I see God satisfying the longing and hungry soul.
I see God disciplining his people.
I see God responding to his people when they realize how wrong they have been.
I see God even responding to those who were foolish, and because of that suffered.
I see God sending out his word to them, healing them, delivering them.
I see God controlling the wind and the waves.
I see God over and over and over again, delivering people from distress.
I see God over and over and over again, bringing people to a place of safe haven.

It is no wonder that people are encouraged over and over and over again to give thanks to the Lord for his steadfast love and for his wondrous works.

I see God bringing water into dry places.
I see God turning badness into goodness.
I see God giving people a place to live.
I see God blessing the people, helping them multiply, helping them with their work.
I see God helping the needy.
I see God blessing the upright in heart, and causing the wicked to be brought low.
I see God's steadfast love being considered by the wise of his people.

So we MUST give thanks to the Lord for all he has done. It only makes sense to do so. Wouldn't you want to thank someone for saving you? Thank someone for helping you? Thank God for rescuing you out of circumstances that you have done to your own self?

At Christmas, I am reminded of how I need to thank God for all that he has done.
He sent his own son to save me from my own sin.
At Christmas, I am drawn to remember God's steadfast love in my life.
He changed me from a person who disliked myself intensely, to a person who thinks that for a broken, sin-filled person, I am still a person that God loves, and that makes me okay.
At Christmas, I am reminded of all God's wondrous works.
He gave me a loving hubbie who treats me well, he gave a really nice boy to raise, he gave me a church family, that even with its faults and challenges, is still a source of blessing to me.

I will give thanks to God for his steadfast love, for his mercy extended to me, for saving me from myself and my sinful ways, for all his mighty works in my life.

Oh you people of God, give thanks to the LORD,
for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!

Advent Devotions - Dec 15

Today's reading comes from Goshen College. And the scripture is Luke 3:7-18.

7He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

10And the crowds asked him, "What then shall we do?" 11And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise." 12Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" 13And he said to them, "Collect no more than you are authorized to do." 14Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages."

15As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16John answered them all, saying, "I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

18So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.

John the Baptizer! He's out there, doing the work of God. A man who was a recluse, living off the land with a diet of milk and honey, never had his hair cut and called by God to be a fore-teller of Christ.

He told things like they were. He was blunt. When people said, what should be do? He told them plain and simple. No mincing of words. He was also clear with people when they thought perhaps he could be Christ. He wasn't. He made it clear that all he could do was baptize people with water, BUT the one who would come after him... well, his baptism would be through the Holy Spirit and with fire. That the one who would follow him was mightier than he was. And that he (John) was insignificant compared to him (the Christ). The one who would follow John (whom we know is Christ), would be a winnower and gatherer. He will burn off the chaff, and gather in what is good of the crop.

John exhorted the people with many things as he preached the good news to them.

As I await the return of Christ, and to celebrate all the promises of his birth this Christmas season, I am called by this passage to be like John. Ready to lead people to Christ. Ready to tell them what they must do to be saved. Ready to be used of God regardless of where I have been in my past. Ready to answer questions put to me by people wanting to know more of the God I serve. Let me be ready oh Lord, just let me be ready.

Advent Devotions - Dec 14

Today's devotion comes from United Church of Canada. Though I don't agree with much of what this church denominationally stands for, I can still use their site to generate thoughts and ideas for doing my advent devotions. :)

Today's scripture is Jeremiah 33:14-16

14"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'

Verse 14 - God says I will fulfill the promise I made.

God keeps his promises! He's not like you or me. The number of times that I forget to do something that I promised to do...it's nuts! But because I forget to ... oh...water the Christmas tree, or make supper on time, it makes it easier for me to "just let it go" when my hubbie forgets to do something....like wash the boys' favourite, very dirty stuffies, when the boy is fully distracted by being out of the house. It's like, I can just let it go. Mistakes happen. BUT just because I can let mistakes go with my hubbie, or with myself, or with anyone else, doesn't mean that I can expect God to go around making mistakes or breaking his promises. God is God. He is just so much more than you or I.

And in this passage we see that God doesn't forget the promises he makes. He doesn't go "oops, forgot that at one". He keeps them.

What promise did God make?

That one day he "will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land."

That day is fulfilled in Christ. Jesus Christ, the son of Mary and Joseph, the son of God, comes from the line of David. He was that, he is that, righteous offspring. He sits on the right hand of God RIGHT NOW, where he judges all things. And one day soon, he will come back to earth, as the reigning triumphal king, and will judge all things on earth.

Ah...the hope!

Ah...the joy of seeing God keep all of his promises.

The United Church closes its' devotional asking these questions -

Think about the promises of God. When have you responded with love, faith, or action? What promises have you made in your life to friends, family, community, or a stranger?

What do you do with the promises you have made?
What do you expect God to do with the promises he makes to you?
Do you expect him to keep promises?
Do you act like he does?

I don't know where I heard this anymore, but it was a preacher talking about something. He said that the reason that many Christians don't evangelize and don't live out their faith, or answers the questions of "why do you live this way?" when asked, is because they really don't expect God to keep his promises.

You know..those promises of "I will be with you always", "I won't give you anything to deal with that you can't handle", "I am your rock and your salvation, in whom do you fear?" and so on and forth.

That has stuck with me. And when I think of God's promises, I have to admit, sometimes they feel very remote to me. Like I know they are there, but not until I really need them or have to call upon them or anything. So therefore I don't think about them too much....but these verses, and seeing how God kept this promise, and I know how he keeps others, challenges me to think more about the Promises of God AND how I live my life in the light of them.

All I can do is pray: Heavenly Father, Forgive me for how often I live my life not really seeing, or counting on your promises to see me through all things. Teach me your promises, teach me about your "ever present help". Help me to daily see your promises. Help me to remember them so I don't have to do it all on my own. That I will always know, and therefore live, like a person who knows that you are with me ALL the time. Through your son's name I ask this. Amen.

Advent Devotions - Dec 13

Today's devotion comes to us by way of Lutheran Hour Ministries. They have an on-line advent devotion calendar. Today's scripture is Mark 13:22-23.

22False christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

We know that Christ is coming again. We have been told this over and over in Scripture. The book of Revelation spells out in some greater detail what that return will look like, and what it will be all about.

Knowing that Christ is returning means that people will rise up who will do their best to turn believers aside. They will try hard to turn the elect of God away from him. So we MUST be alert. We must be on guard against such actions.

This means that we need to know the truth. If we don't know the truth of who God is, of who Christ is, then how will we know the false from the true?

As today's devotional says

I’m told that those who handle money are taught to look for counterfeit bills in a certain way. They don’t learn about what counterfeits would look like; instead they learn what the genuine article looks like. There are many ways to make false currency, but the real thing is always the same.

The best way to tell truth from false is the know the truth so well that what is false is immediately apparent.

So it is with Jesus. He never changes, but how do we recognize Him when He comes? In John 5:39, Jesus provides the answer: “The scriptures testify about Me.” The Holy Scriptures tell us who Jesus is, why He came, what He did, and what He’s going to do. .... During Advent, as always, it’s important to keep our focus on Jesus so that we won’t be deceived by counterfeits.

Let us know the scriptures so well, that we know Christ so well, that any falsehoods are immediately apparent to us. Let us continue to look forward to the return of the true Christ.