Church Blog (Page 4)
Courage | Advent Devotion
Courage Daily Devotion for Advent 2019 | Monday, December 23 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a Son. And he called His Name Jesus. Matthew 1:24-25 I really admire Joseph. What courage he had, to simply wake up and go finalize the marriage, bringing his wife home—all on the basis of a dream. Mary and Zechariah both got to…
Call Him Jesus | Advent Devotion
Call Him Jesus Daily Devotion for Advent 2019 | Sunday, December 22 (The angel said) “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20b-21 “Do not fear,” the angel says to Joseph. Do not fear to take Mary as your wife, in…
Considering These Things | Advent Devotion
Considering These Things Daily Devotion for Advent 2019 | Saturday, December 21 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream … . Matthew 1:19-20a There are many times when I wish God would speak to me from on high. Just open the heavens, shout (or whisper) a little guidance. Or…
Found Out | Advent Devotion
Found Out Daily Devotion for Advent 2019 | Friday, December 20 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18 The Holy Spirit never says anything by accident. That’s why the words in Matthew 1 are so disturbing: Mary “was found to be with child.” It doesn’t sound like she had the chance to…
Rejoicing in the Good | Advent Devotion
Rejoicing in the Good Daily Devotion for Advent 2019 | Thursday, December 19 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. Luke 1:57-58 Hatred. Judgment. Racism. Greed. Self-justification. Self-righteousness. If you’ve been following the news recently, you’ve seen all of these. And it gets old, doesn’t it? Eventually I just have to shut it…
Face the Music | Advent Devotion
Face the Music Daily Devotion for Advent 2019 | Wednesday, December 18 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home. Luke 1:56 God was so kind to Mary. He gave her three months of rest and peace staying with a family who would understand her pregnancy and believe her explanation. Mary had time to think and pray, time to adjust to how God has turned her life upside down. (She also had time to get…
Looking at the Future | Advent Devotion
Looking at the Future Daily Devotion for Advent 2019 | Tuesday, December 17 He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. Luke 1:52-53 As Mary continues to praise God, she does something that happens in a few other places in the Bible. She starts using the past tense for events that haven’t even happened yet. Look around you.…
Those Who Fear Him | Advent Devotion
Those Who Fear Him Daily Devotion for Advent 2019 | Monday, December 16 And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. Luke 1:50-51 Have you ever noticed? As Mary continues her song, the Magnificat, the words become more and more revolutionary. This probably isn’t what we expect from the young mother of our Christmas cards, the blue-robed…
Where Are You Looking? | Advent Devotion
Where Are You Looking? Daily Devotion for Advent 2019 | Sunday, December 15 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior … for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name.” Luke 1:46-47, 49 I’m teaching my son to drive a car, and one of the things he needs to learn is that where your eyes go, the car goes. If you stare at the…
A Time For Joy | Advent Devotion
A Time For Joy Daily Devotion for Advent 2019 | Saturday, December 14 And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! … For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” Luke 1:41b-42, 44 No doubt Mary had a lot of things to do: talk to her parents about her pregnancy…
A Courteous God and a Willing Response | Advent Devotion
A Courteous God and a Willing Response Daily Devotion for Advent 2019 | Friday, December 13 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38 If you stop to think about it, God didn’t have to tell Mary what He was going to do. He didn’t have to explain anything at all. Oh, no doubt Mary would have been surprised and…
Overwhelmed | Advent Devotion
Overwhelmed Daily Devotion for Advent 2019 | Thursday, December 12 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the Child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month…