The Gift

Acts 1:1-11

In the book of Acts, the writer (whom most Bible experts agree to be Luke, a

non-Jewish physician) tells the story of what happened after Jesus was taken up

into Heaven.  The first eleven verses, however, explain that Jesus gave instructions

to His apostles before He ascended into the sky.  Jesus told the men to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the gift that God had promised, that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5.)  Jesus goes on to tell His apostles that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them and that they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8.)

During this gift-giving season, no gift can compare to the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Scripture tells us that Jesus promised He would send the Holy Spirit as a comforter and advocate in His absence (John 14:16.)  In my Bible Dictionary, the word “comforter” is defined as a title for the Holy Spirit which means “to strengthen” or “to bolster.”  The same dictionary explains that as the advocate, the Holy Spirit provides power for world wide evangelism (Acts 1:8) and will abide with believers forever (John 14:16.)

Prayer:  Dear Lord, We thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Melinda Burk

Watchful Servants

Luke 12:35-48

Most often, when we invite guests into our homes, we spend hours preparing for their arrival; we clean behind every nook, we cook a lavish meal, and we set out our nicest china.  Upon their arrival time, we listen for the car door so we can greet them at the door, and offer them a warm welcome.

How much more we should prepare for Christ’s return!  God tells us to be watching for Him and ready to open the door for Him.  Because he will come at an unexpected hour, we must prepare as though He were coming tonight!  We must honor Him daily with what He has given to us, and as we do so in the seemingly smaller areas of our lives, HE will entrust us with even greater responsibility to glorify Him.

Are you ready for Christ’s return?  In what ways can you prepare for Him on a daily basis?  Do you honor Him in all things so He will entrust you with more?

Although, many are servants, few are watchful servants.  For those preparing and ready for His return, He promises a great reward.

Prayer:  Lord, Although I do not know when you will return, I am overjoyed for that day to come.  Help me to be a watchful servant, and to be ready to open my door for you.  Thank you for revealing yourself to me so that I may know you personally, and to one day sit at your table with you.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Shelby Hall

Chariots of Fire, Dry Bones, and Advent

Ezekiel 34:1-10

The Shepherds Take from the Sheep

        

          At first glance these proclamations by the strange prophet Ezekiel seem to be far removed from the theme of advent.  A closer look at the reading, and further in the chapter, reveals the fact that God is not only displeased with the shepherds currently leading the sheep of Israel, but that he will remove the current leadership and governing system, replace it with David, his lineage, and ultimately the Messiah.  Hence, a possible old testament reference to the coming of Christ. 

          Living in the time between the first and second advent of Christ, it is worthwhile to ask if the developed nations of the world, the current shepherds, have become like those of ancient Israel, and the third world people have become the new sheep.  Have we reached such a stage of extravagance that far too many sheep, including their natural resources, are required to “feed” the shepherds?  One obvious example is the ongoing deforestation of the tropical rainforest in South America.  This not only takes from the indigenous peoples’ resources, but upsets the natural balance of the fragile ecosystem.

          During the advent season, could it be possible that old dry bones Ezekiel has a message that remains relevant today?

Prayer:  God, remind us that Jesus came to redeem all of the world and that all should share in his bounty and blessing, Amen

Warren Davenport

The Future

Revelation 1:1-8

Revelation verses at Christmas?  That was my first thought because I generally don’t think of scripture from the book of Revelation as Christmas scripture.  There is no mention of Joseph, Mary or the birth of Jesus.  So how is it that it’s included for an advent study?  It is because it’s a revelation of Jesus Christ and He is what Christmas is about.

These scriptures are about God communicating to his people a message; a message for promise of happiness, of spiritual blessings and of joy.  God, through John, gave us a grasp of the future, a future with grace and peace.  We also receive the glorious message that He is coming for us!

While we focus on the birth of Jesus during our countdown to Christmas, these scriptures give us a pause to focus on the meaning of Jesus and our future.  These scriptures give a great restatement of this person who we know both as a man and God.  In verse 8 God declares he is the Alpha and Omega; he is eternal from time past to the future.  While we reflect on the birth of Jesus, we should also rejoice in how we know the full story, including how marvelously the story ends for we who believe. 

Prayer:  God, we ask you to help us know that this brief time on earth is only the beginning of a great adventure you have prepared for us.  While we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we also remember to thank you for His death, resurrection and the promise that He will come again.  We are truly blessed by your presence in our lives today and your promise for our eternal tomorrows, Amen.

Rod Smith

Live for the Future

Luke 21:25-36

This scripture in Luke helps to prepare us for the second coming of Christ and how important it is to recognize what is happening in the world, what to do, and what to believe.  Having faith and believing in Jesus is what fuels us for the roads we travel.  The decisions we make determine the direction of the road we travel.  The further from Jesus we are the more difficult the road, the closer we are the smoother the road. 

When will Jesus return?  No person on earth knows but we do know it will happen and it will be in the future.  The fig tree parable guarantees God’s words will come true just as the seasons come and go.  If we live as Jesus did and how he has taught us, then our lives are much more fulfilling and the road we travel leads to eternal life.  Live for the future so when you stand before the Son of Man all will be well and eternal life will be yours.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Thanks for all our many blessings, be with us and help us to remain on the good road with the decisions we make.  Give us the ability to live our lives as your Son lived his so one day in the future when we are with him all will be well.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Dale Peters

Hope or Fear

Mark 13:1-13, 24, 37

The verses for this devotional can either be read with hope or fear.  I try to focus on the hope.  When someone asks me to list my hobbies, I could quite easily write "worrying" as one of them.  I don't like worrying about things, it just happens.  I know God has had my life planned since before I was born, but letting go is very hard.  He has a plan for us and only God knows that plan.  Only God knows when He will return and any who claim to know the day of His return are false prophets.  We must try to be a mirror of His love and compassion to others while we live out our lives on earth and trust Him in all that we do.  The Plan is in His hands and I am thankful every day for the blessings He gives.  We should not let our hearts be heavy with worry for the end, but live each day to glorify God and make sure when the time does come, we are spiritually prepared.

"When the world around us grows cold and chaotic, faith is the balm that soothes a fearful heart and the blanket that comforts an anxious mind."  --Unknown

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, We can feel your presence and need to have faith and trust in your plan.  Thank you for being the loving and forgiving God you are.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lea Henricks

A Lesson from The Book of Psalms

Psalm 85

In about 520 BC the Jews had returned from exile in Babylon.  God had been angry with his people and they had been in exile for 70 years, but now they were able to return to Jerusalem and the places near it.  However, after a few years, things were bad for them and they had not built God’s House (the temple) again.  They had to wonder, will God be angry with us forever?  The answer was no, but they must not turn again to folly. 

I have to wonder, is the Old Testament story of Psalm 85 a wake-up call for us?  Like the Jews some 26 centuries ago our country has turned many times from good times to bad and from war to peace.  Each time our people faced such challenges, they worked, fought and yes, prayed together to overcome the problem.  Each time our Christian Nation survived and prospered.

Now, at a time when our nation faces not only very serious financial and international security problems we find ourselves faced with a divided populace, much of whom have turned away from God.  This challenge will require a combined effort of Christians working and praying together to point the way for others to follow.

Prayer:  Turn us, O LORD, and lead us in the paths of righteousness.  In His name we pray, Amen.

Arch Brashears