Advent Devotional - Day 10: by Sandy Davis

December 8, 2009
READING: 1 Samuel 7:3-6

Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, "If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Astartes from amon you. Direct your heart to the Lord, andserve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." So Israel put away the Baals and the Astartes, and they served the Lord only.
1 Samuel 7:3-4

My faith was truly tested in 2001 when my Mom passed away suddenly from an asthma attack. I couldn’t believe that after only 53 short years, God had chosen to call her home. I couldn’t help feeling regret over “things left unsaid” and phone calls cut short because, let’s face it, there’s always tomorrow, right?

The angst I felt over not knowing if she was okay kept me up at night. I prayed and prayed for God to give me some sign that she was in good hands. I would sacrifice anything just to make sure she was safe and happy.

One night my prayers were answered when my Mom came to me in a dream. She had “telephoned” me to ask how I was doing. I had all sorts of questions for her…did she like being in Heaven and was she there with other members of our family. She assured me that everything was fine, like all mothers do, and that I need not worry about it anymore. She will always be with me watching over me.

As I awoke, I truly felt an inner peace, knowing that God had answered my prayers

Heavenly Father,
Keep us ever mindful of your presense. Let us not forget that all we need do is ask when we need you near and to comfort us. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 9: by Peter Lund

December 7, 2009
READING: John 1:6-8

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.”
John 1:6-7

“He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.” I’m not sure about you, but isn’t it nice to receive accolades? I love it; I can never get enough of it! Perhaps I have a slightly narcissistic streak, maybe I’m too self-centered, or maybe, I’m just HUMAN. I think human nature tends towards self-centeredness, especially when one is in a position of power. Along comes John, and right away, people think he’s special. Some people are even starting to dream big, and begin to question whether he may be the long-awaited Messiah. In other words – he’s a well-liked guy – receiving the accolades that we all love! Many people, in such a situation, would probably develop a mindset along the lines of, “You know what? I really AM great! Everybody’s right about me!” And over time, they would focus more and more on their own agenda. I’m sure even John would have been tempted to do so – a call from God doesn’t guarantee that someone will respond. I seem to recall a certain Jonah being told to go to Nineveh, so what does he do? He runs away… In the other direction… But that’s not what John does – he states that he is simply there to proclaim the One who is to come. He deflects all of the praise, and even calls himself unworthy. John, to me, serves as a reminder of how we are to center our lives – not on ourselves, but on Jesus. In this time of Advent, let us remember to be like John, and center our lives and our focus on what truly matters.

Lord, help us to remember to focus on you always, and keep you at the center of our lives.
Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 8: by Lou Shives

December 6, 2009
READING: John 1:29-31

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
John 1: 29

The first people, other than Mary and Joseph, to sense that Jesus was more than an ordinary person were the Wise Men from the East. Thirty years later, in Bethany, a village east of the Jordan River, John the Baptist announced to the crowd sent by Jewish leaders and the Pharisees, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. Although Jesus lived among the Jews and was referred to as the sacrificial and suffering Lamb, the people of Israel were confused by the meaning of John’s words. The Jews regularly sacrificed lambs in the Temple and for the Passover meal or Seder but did not make the connection. They put their trust in the sacrificial act but did not think anything more was necessary to be a “good Jew”. Few had accepted Him as the Messiah. If you were present during John’s proclamation, how do you think you would have reacted to his words? Would you have asked John to baptize you so that you could join God’s family?

According to historians, Advent originated during the first century as a period during which Christian converts prepared themselves for baptism through instruction, prayer, fasting, and reflection (similar to Lent). Since then, Advent has become a season filled with the spirit of expectation, anticipation, preparation, and longing for the Second Coming of Christ.

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for this special time of year when we celebrate Your love coming down from heaven to earth. Open our hearts to receive a special gift of faith this Christmas. Use our lips and lives to invite others to become acquainted with You. Amen

Advent Devotional - Day 7: by Bill Nasworthy

December 5, 2009
READING: Isaiah 12:1-6

“Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
Let this be know in all the earth.
Shout aloud and sign for joy, O royal Zion,
For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
Isaiah 12: 5-6

These verses were actually songs singing the praises of The Lord and all of his deeds. They tell us “for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me.” Despite our short comings, our Father loves us……always. The praises continue with “I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and my might.” No matter what our lives are going through, the path we trod, Our Lord is “my salvation.” We are to “make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted.” One of our jobs is to spread the Word and tell others of His greatness. “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.” Indeed! Praise the Lord in all you do. Without Him, you are nothing and have nothing. “I will give thanks to you, O Lord.”

How will you sing praises to The Lord?

Lord God Our Savior, let us sing praises of our love for you this Christmas and sing them loudly, so all will hear and join in. Amen

Advent Devotional - Day 6: by Gail Seeram

December 4, 2009
READING: Luke 1:26-38

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.” ….. The angel said to 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 holy; he will be called Son of God.”

Luke 1: 30-31, 35

This story illustrates the journey God can place on our lives and how these journeys can help us come to faith or expand our faith. Mary, an unwed virgin, is being told by an Angel that she will conceive a child and he will be the Son of the Most High. For most women, the news of conceiving a child is exciting and is received as a blessing but for Mary she is afraid by this news. Mary questions the Angel, but after receiving a vague explanation that ended with “For nothing will be impossible with God”, Mary accepts God’s will. Mary says yes to God’s plan for her life and reaffirmed that she was a servant of the Lord.

As with Mary, God speaks to us daily in our lives, but do we also answer “yes”? Saying “yes” to God and sacrificing our plan for his plan is not an easy task.. Five years ago, I said “yes” to God and moved to Florida and left an established career and life-long friends in New York to follow a “plan” in Florida. There were many days where I questioned God and his plan for my life and career. Eventually, I saw God’s plan unfold and although I still wanted to follow my plan, I submitted myself as a servant to God and his plan. Now, five years later, I can appreciate God’s plan and purpose for my life although it was not clear to me at the time.

Now, whenever I am faced with life’s many challenges, I always remind myself that nothing is impossible with God (as stated in this passage) and only what is done for God and his Kingdom will last. Peace & love to you all.

Lord Jesus, let us remember that you have a plan for us and help us keep our ears open to hear what it is. And then follow you. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 5: by Neil Lund

December 3, 2009
READING: Psalm 89:19-26

Once you spoke in a vision, to your faithful people you said: “I have energized a warrior; I have raised up a young man from the people. I have found David, my servant. With my sacred oil I have anointed him.
Psalm 89: 19-20

The Psalmist, Ethan, looks forward by looking back. He recalls God's promise to David - to give strength, protection, love and to deliver on His promises. Ethan also looked forward with those promises being fulfilled again. God again delivered on his promises with his Son, Jesus. Similarly we can look back to David and to Jesus and be assured that God will provide strength, protection and love to us.

Christ Jesus,
Just like the promise God made to his people to raise up David to protect his people, God promised to give us a King to save us. Thank you for keeping your promise to us and sending your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Advent Devotional - Day 4: by Carolyn Champagne

December 2, 2009
READING: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

“”For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal…….
Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

The verses from Ecclesiastes tell us there is a time for everything.
“ a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, a time to dance;”
Right now is the time for Advent, a time to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. The celebration is close, but we must be patient.

When my boys were young they were so excited once December got here. All they could think about was Christmas and they wanted time to speed up. But there is a time for everything and God has other ideas. He has a plan to move more slowly and give us time to prepare for the birth of His Son. So listen to Him. Take time each day of Advent to reflect on what this means for us. It is not yet time to celebrate Christ’s coming. But it is close, real close. Take a deep breath, reflect and prepare ways to keep Christ in Christmas.

Heavenly Father,
You are in charge of the time table. As we go through this season of Advent, place in our hearts the knowledge of you, as our Savior, and what this means to us as we move forward to Christmas and life thereafter with Christ in our hearts. Amen.