The Latin word for "advent" means "the coming."
"The advent season was instituted as a time of fasting for holy living, and it remains a time of inward preparation for the commemoration of the coming of Christ....it's a month to be still." (from Preparing My Heart for Advent by Ann Marie Stewart.)
I marvel at Ann Marie's words. I don't know about you, but I have not been fasting. And I've been anything BUT still most days.
And yet.
I am preparing for Him, even in my busyness. This year there is a lightness, and a non-panic in my preparations. Times with Him, often in the early morning or late at night, are sweet. There is a contentedness in my exhaustion. Life is being lived to the fullest, and I am experiencing His peace.
My life is so not storybook perfect, and there are challenges on every side. But there is also joy and hope.
Luke 2:8-14
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
December 13
Luke 1: 39-43
39 Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah,
40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?
Immediately after the angel told Mary she was with child, and that Elizabeth was also pregnant, Mary hurried to Elizabeth's house. Do you think that perhaps she was seeing if indeed that HAD BEEN an angel rather than a hallucination?
Wasn't it kind of God to tell Mary about the unlikely pregnancy of her aged relative Elizabeth? With this news, God built in a proof to Mary: if Elizabeth was pregnant, then the angel HAD been real.
God understands our humanity. He's willing to work with us.
God went even further to reassure His bondservant, Mary. Not only did Mary find Elizabeth pregnant, but Elizabeth immediately knew of Mary's pregnancy. There was not yet a physical sign of pregnancy, but the Holy Spirit revealed the truth to Elizabeth, and she shouted out in joy.
Can you imagine the relief that must have flooded dear Mary? It was real. And best yet, someone understood, and would be on her side in the upcoming months as the pregnancy was revealed.
God gave Mary, His favored one, a role to play in history. And He gave her human support to help her fulfil it.
What does He have for YOU to do this Christmas? Whatever it is, He'll give you the strength, the courage, and the support for you to succeed. Lean in.
39 Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah,
40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?
Immediately after the angel told Mary she was with child, and that Elizabeth was also pregnant, Mary hurried to Elizabeth's house. Do you think that perhaps she was seeing if indeed that HAD BEEN an angel rather than a hallucination?
Wasn't it kind of God to tell Mary about the unlikely pregnancy of her aged relative Elizabeth? With this news, God built in a proof to Mary: if Elizabeth was pregnant, then the angel HAD been real.
God understands our humanity. He's willing to work with us.
God went even further to reassure His bondservant, Mary. Not only did Mary find Elizabeth pregnant, but Elizabeth immediately knew of Mary's pregnancy. There was not yet a physical sign of pregnancy, but the Holy Spirit revealed the truth to Elizabeth, and she shouted out in joy.
Can you imagine the relief that must have flooded dear Mary? It was real. And best yet, someone understood, and would be on her side in the upcoming months as the pregnancy was revealed.
God gave Mary, His favored one, a role to play in history. And He gave her human support to help her fulfil it.
What does He have for YOU to do this Christmas? Whatever it is, He'll give you the strength, the courage, and the support for you to succeed. Lean in.
December 12, a bit late
Think upon Luke 1:37-38
37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.” [-the angel]
38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”
These two verses give me enough to ponder for the whole advent season.
NOTHING is impossible with God. Of course if I believe that He created the world, and that He rose Christ from the dead, I believe that He can do anything. But it's good to ponder that truth. Think of something that you've just about given up on. Is it possible for God? Are you praying for Him to do it or take the desire for it from you?
And then Mary's response: May it be done to me according to your word.
Chip Ingram of Living on the Edge (lote.org) recently said,
"The wisdom of God tells us that God will bring about the best possible results, by the best possible means, for the most possible people, for the longest possible time."
I serve a God who knows all and moves in that knowledge. Complete knowledge which brings guaranteed best results. Mary understood this concept. Though the path looked complicated for her, she knew her God and that His way was always the best way.
Oh that I could really trust Him as Mary did.
37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.” [-the angel]
38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”
These two verses give me enough to ponder for the whole advent season.
NOTHING is impossible with God. Of course if I believe that He created the world, and that He rose Christ from the dead, I believe that He can do anything. But it's good to ponder that truth. Think of something that you've just about given up on. Is it possible for God? Are you praying for Him to do it or take the desire for it from you?
And then Mary's response: May it be done to me according to your word.
Chip Ingram of Living on the Edge (lote.org) recently said,
"The wisdom of God tells us that God will bring about the best possible results, by the best possible means, for the most possible people, for the longest possible time."
I serve a God who knows all and moves in that knowledge. Complete knowledge which brings guaranteed best results. Mary understood this concept. Though the path looked complicated for her, she knew her God and that His way was always the best way.
Oh that I could really trust Him as Mary did.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
December 11
Luke 1:26-40
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,
27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.
30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.
31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”
34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
36 “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.
37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Being ready for Christmas means being in right relationship with God. Mary was ready for Christmas. The angel called her favored, and declared that the Lord was with her. Her humility kept her perplexed, and the angel reassured her not be to be afraid, that she had found favor with God.
God will use those who are ready to be used. Not ready as in polished and pretty, but ready as in humble and obedient. He sees our hearts, and He knows when we're ready.
Does having the holiday for which you long seem impossible at this point? Think of how life must have looked to a teenage virgin suddenly carrying the Christ child. God encouraged her. He told her, through the angel, that NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.
Talk to Him today about what seems impossible. And then ask Him to help you to see what is standing in the way of God finding favor with you. Once you are in right day to day, minute to minute relationship with Him, NOTHING is impossible. His desires become your desires, and what fills your heart is Him - and He is enough.
Even if the Christmas for which you currently long never happens, you'll have something BETTER. You'll have the fulfillment of knowing God's presence within, as surely as Mary felt that baby. When the road was rough, Mary could think back to that angelic encounter and KNOW that a sovereign God was orchestrating everything.
We can know that too.
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,
27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.
30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.
31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”
34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
36 “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.
37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Being ready for Christmas means being in right relationship with God. Mary was ready for Christmas. The angel called her favored, and declared that the Lord was with her. Her humility kept her perplexed, and the angel reassured her not be to be afraid, that she had found favor with God.
God will use those who are ready to be used. Not ready as in polished and pretty, but ready as in humble and obedient. He sees our hearts, and He knows when we're ready.
Does having the holiday for which you long seem impossible at this point? Think of how life must have looked to a teenage virgin suddenly carrying the Christ child. God encouraged her. He told her, through the angel, that NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.
Talk to Him today about what seems impossible. And then ask Him to help you to see what is standing in the way of God finding favor with you. Once you are in right day to day, minute to minute relationship with Him, NOTHING is impossible. His desires become your desires, and what fills your heart is Him - and He is enough.
Even if the Christmas for which you currently long never happens, you'll have something BETTER. You'll have the fulfillment of knowing God's presence within, as surely as Mary felt that baby. When the road was rough, Mary could think back to that angelic encounter and KNOW that a sovereign God was orchestrating everything.
We can know that too.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
December 10
This morning I discovered a little nugget. Click on:
Lifelines
At that address you will find a short devotional every day. The Bible verse is in the Amplified Version - a great version of the Bible that uses a string of words to convey a thought - because in the Hebrew and Greek many words need more than one word to translate them. It's like looking key words up in a dictionary and then putting the definition right in the text.
Once you are there, you can also listen to a completely different "Everyday moment" on audio.
I listen to her podcast on the treadmill. Joyce says it like it is. I am really blessed by her ministry.
Try going to this devotional each morning when you check your email. Consider the Bible passage as email from God!
Do you have a favorite online devotional? Leave the URL in the comments!
Lifelines
At that address you will find a short devotional every day. The Bible verse is in the Amplified Version - a great version of the Bible that uses a string of words to convey a thought - because in the Hebrew and Greek many words need more than one word to translate them. It's like looking key words up in a dictionary and then putting the definition right in the text.
Once you are there, you can also listen to a completely different "Everyday moment" on audio.
I listen to her podcast on the treadmill. Joyce says it like it is. I am really blessed by her ministry.
Try going to this devotional each morning when you check your email. Consider the Bible passage as email from God!
Do you have a favorite online devotional? Leave the URL in the comments!
Monday, December 8, 2008
dates
I'm blogging ahead of time in anticipation of some busy days. So please go by the GREEN date...that's the reading for that day. The top date is the date I wrote the blog even if I wrote it ahead of time. Sorry for the confusing lay out.
Actually, just read something RED each day, (the Word) and God will bless you for it! :)
Actually, just read something RED each day, (the Word) and God will bless you for it! :)
December 9
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
God's light is to shine in us. And yet, God, in His wisdom, gave us a free will and free choice and we humans mucked it up and sin entered the picture. And so daily we have to fight ourselves: fight ourselves to let His light shine in spite of the flaws of our earthen vessels. When we do something Christlike, the surpassing greatness is obviously God in us. People notice and God can be credited. Our trials and our natural sinful bents can be used to glorify God in that we can become more Christlike in our responses.
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded
When we blow it, and we all will, we can draw near to God to cleanse and purify us. Then once again the Light of the world will shine through us. This Light arrived at Christmas, and we proclaim His birth in our everyday lives through the way we reflect Him.
In this busiest of seasons, we likely need to draw near more than ever so that once we are cleansed and purified we reflect Him even in the hustle and bustle. It's a catch 22: we need Him most in the busyness, and in the busyness we feel we don't have the time to draw near.
God's word is truth: you need to draw near. Take the time, and the rest will fall into place. God is the author of time and efficiency. Do things HIS way and He will order your steps.
God's light is to shine in us. And yet, God, in His wisdom, gave us a free will and free choice and we humans mucked it up and sin entered the picture. And so daily we have to fight ourselves: fight ourselves to let His light shine in spite of the flaws of our earthen vessels. When we do something Christlike, the surpassing greatness is obviously God in us. People notice and God can be credited. Our trials and our natural sinful bents can be used to glorify God in that we can become more Christlike in our responses.
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded
When we blow it, and we all will, we can draw near to God to cleanse and purify us. Then once again the Light of the world will shine through us. This Light arrived at Christmas, and we proclaim His birth in our everyday lives through the way we reflect Him.
In this busiest of seasons, we likely need to draw near more than ever so that once we are cleansed and purified we reflect Him even in the hustle and bustle. It's a catch 22: we need Him most in the busyness, and in the busyness we feel we don't have the time to draw near.
God's word is truth: you need to draw near. Take the time, and the rest will fall into place. God is the author of time and efficiency. Do things HIS way and He will order your steps.
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