Warnings

Luke 21:34-38 

This passage of the Gospel of Luke contains warnings to his disciples about what will take place after his death and resurrection.  His advice to them of the end of the age.  And, his sudden coming should not catch them (the disciples) unaware.

Verses 34-36.  Watch out, be careful.  This is a loving warning.  As Christians we can get caught up in day to day meaningless things.  Our focus is off, we forget about our Christian duties.  We need to be on our toes and be focusing on things that are important as followers of Jesus, until his coming.

Verse 37.  Crowds of people gathered to hear Jesus each morning.  We as Christians should begin our day in prayer in order to be ready and eager to show  and tell others what Jesus says

Verse 38.  In the evening after speaking to the crowds he would return to the Mount of Olives.  There he would pray to God and become refueled for the next day.  As Christians we should follow the same pattern as Jesus in our lives.

Prayer:

Holy Father, Help us to be faithful followers until the day Jesus returns.  Amen

Ann Loftin

“Promises We Fear and Hope”

Micah 4:6-18

Micah lived in a time when ordinary people could see what powerful people would not. They could see bad things were happening, and worse was coming. Their national leaders, of government and business, were indecisive. They had a hard time making hard decisions and a harder time sticking with them; they were easily bullied by their more powerful leaders.  Ordinary people could see signs their enemies were preparing to do battle. The leaders were over confident that God was on their side, that their rituals and sacrifices protected them. The idea of their fall was unbelievable. God spoke through Micah with several promises. God promised that what ordinary people could see was exactly right. No one need think that believing certain things about God, or certain ways of worshipping God, would make them immune from disaster. In fact, the damage done by their enemies wouldn’t be their enemies doing at all, but God’s! God would use their enemies to break down those people and that was bad news no one wanted to hear. However, God also promised that their fall wouldn’t be the end of their story. Their fall to their enemies wouldn’t be final. God would only tear them down in order to build them up. The people would be restored. Those scattered like sheep would be brought back to the flock. Suffering now would not be for nothing.  God would rule over them in peace when they were ready to let God to rule over them.

Prayer: Dear God make us clear-headed enough to see what is true in our own lives, whatever it may be. When the truth is painful may we not resist it and when it is good may we have the faith to accept it and celebrate it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Arnold Nelson

Commitment

Psalm 79

The writer was a Jew and a prisoner in his own land.  He had strayed from his God’s teachings.  But now he was asking for God’s help in overcoming his enemies and saving his land.  He wanted back in God’s graces.

This scenario resembles many aspects of our country today.  Many think we have strayed from God and have lost our way.  There seems to be grumblings from every corner – from the PTA meetings to the White House.  Even the church isn’t exempt from this.

However, the church is the perfect place to begin to build a strong family unit.  A true commitment to Jesus will give us the peace we long for and the strength to withstand the constant drain on our emotions.  Here are a few things we can do to commit to serve Him better.

A.       Thank God everyday for his blessings and pray His guidance in all that you do.

B.       Make every effort to be at church assemblies and activities.  Remember that

wherever 2 or more are gathered, He is there also.

C.       Make every effort to be actively involved in at least ONE area of the church.  He wants you to use the talent given you (and yes, you DO have one!)

D.       Make a conscience effort to understand the items that our government leaders are promoting and vote for the best Christian leadership possible.

Commitment is what makes every endeavor successful – it’s almost impossible without it!

Prayer:

Thank you for all the blessing you have given us.  Please give us the commitment to show others the strength, power, and peace that following you can give them.  In Christ’s name we pray….Amen

Bill Cope

Hope

Isaiah 64: 1-9

In Isaiah 64: 1-9, it is written about God’s awesome creation and powers (the creation of the heavens and earth) and our human failures.  In other words, the imagery of knowing God, not through seeing (as we did through Jesus Christ), but feeling and hearing and realizing that we have failed and lost sight of God!

There is always hope, even knowing that we have failed.  A hope that as God knows us and also knows what we need.  God will take care of us, he is our creator.  For “we are the clay and God is the potter”, we are the work of God’s hand. God will not forget or condemn what God has created.

As we prepare for Christmas in the coming weeks, when God comes to us through Jesus Christ, he reminds us what it means to be created in God’s image as Jesus lives with us and speaks to us.  God will mold and shape us if we are open and allow it.

Prayer: Remember there is always “hope” and hope is good.  We must never forget there is “Hope”. Amen

Marty Askins

Advent Season Devotional

Advent Season Devotional

2011

First Christian Church

Duncan, OK

          Advent season begins the Christian Church Year.  It includes the four weeks before Christmas day not including Christmas week when it begins on Sunday.  It is a time of preparation for the Feast of the Nativity and is observed with some fasting, prayer, and meditation to dispose all to welcome Christ.  The Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church considers this the most Holy time of the year because God sent his Grace into this world with the birth of Christ.  The season as we observe it includes the spirit of love, joy, hope and peace.

It is appropriate to include the spirit of love, joy, hope and peace in our devotionals.  Also, it is meaningful to remember Grace came to us in Christ's birth.  That in itself is reason enough to celebrate Advent season.

Advent Devo soon

Advent Devotionals to be posted daily beginning the first Sunday of Advent - Sunday, November 27