Advent Devotion, December 12, 2014
Reading:  Romans 15: 5-13
Written by:  Barbara Reynolds

Paul’s letter to the Romans was written from Corinth during his third visit to the city.  Paul relates to the whole world that there is no partiality with him who is the God of the Jews and of the Gentiles also.  Paul shares over and over that Jewish and Gentile believers are one in salvation.

How wonderful to be assured that God redeems all mankind.  In today’s world where beliefs so often separate us from one another, we need to be assured that God’s love binds us.  We are one race..the human race and through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Prayer:  During this season of hope and love let us embrace the idea that we are all brothers and sisters fathered by a loving God.

Advent Devotion, December 11, 2014
Reading: John 1: 19-28
Written by:  Brooks Collins

I find it interesting that whenever something has great importance to a person (or a people), there is usually a period of considerable preparation leading up to it.  In our secular world, sports teams hold training camps to get ready for the regular season when games "count". The most prepared team or athlete has the best chance of winning the championship.  A business person might work all year in preparation (and hope) for an end-of-year bonus.  In Christianity, arguably the 2 most significant events we celebrate each come with a period of preparation:  Easter, prepared for throughout Lent, and Christmas prepared for throughout Advent.  During my childhood, we celebrated Advent each night with an Advent wreath and calendar, both of which had been made by my frugal and craft-y mother.  At dinner each night as we read that day's devotion, we grew in anticipation of celebrating the miraculous birth of the Savior of the world, come to earth as a baby on Christmas morning.  What might have seemed insignificant that night in a manger changed the world forever.  And He is still doing so today.

Lord, each day throughout Advent, let us remember Psalm 46:10 to "be still and know that you are God" as we prepare our hearts for the coming Christ child.  Amen.

Advent Devotional, December 10, 2014
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24
Written by:  Char Klima

I am having a difficult day today.  There is so much to do.  It’s almost Christmas!  The world news is doom and gloom.  My children are arguing and my boss is grumpy.  I don’t feel up to par.  In fact, I’m tempted to just give up.

Wait!  Paul has an answer for that!  Paul is writing to his new Christina friends in Thessalonica.  They, too, feel pressured, tired and downright scared.    Rejoice always, says Paul.  What?  Rejoice and pray and give thanks without ceasing.  Why?  Because that is exactly what God want you to do.  Resist the temptation to declare defeat.  Instead, we are instructed to demonstrate God’s Spirit alive and well in our world.

How can we possibly succeed?  Paul declares God Himself will uphold you and sustain your body, soul, and spirit.  What’s in it for me?  God wins and has destined you and me and all of us for eternal life with Him.  Therefore, REJOICE.  Rejoice Always!

Precious Lord:  Be with me as I face the challenges of today.   Let your spirit shine through me into the world that needs to see your face and grace.  Amen.

Advent Devotional, December 9, 2014
Reading:  2 Timothy 3: 1-5
Written by:  Carolyn Champagne

When I read this passage I thought what a horrible passage to write on for Advent.  But upon reading it again I think it brings a message of caution. 

How often do we get so caught up in the stress of the holiday season that we forget to step back, truly put stress aside and remember what Christmas is all about.  It amazes me when I see news reports of people camping out front of a store in the cold just to by something on sale.  OR when the stores open after Thanksgiving and the sales gal unlocking the doors hopes she isn’t trampled as the mob of shoppers push their way in.  The hype during the holidays has blinded us to the true meaning of Christmas.  It isn’t about getting everything on our wish list, shopping till you drop and making sure you beat the other guy to the store.  This should be a season of joy, peace and love.  Christ came into this world to make it a better place and this is what we need to focus on.  Remember the message of forgiveness and grace that only Jesus could give us. 

Lord Jesus, Forgive us for our selfish ways and falling into line with the Christmas hype all around us which steers us away from you.  Have mercy on us and grant us grace.  Amen. 

Advent Devotional, December 8, 2014
Reading:  Jeremiah 31: 1-3
Written by:  Peter Lund

In preparation for writing this devotional, I consulted two different translations of this verse.  In so doing, I noticed something very interesting: the first translation I read put Verse 2 in the past tense, stating “A people that survived the sword found favor in the wilderness,” whereas the second translation referenced this event as being forthcoming in the future: “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness.”  So which is it?  What is the “correct” translation from the original Hebrew writing?  I suppose I could have simply consulted Pastor Nathan or Pastor Jared, but instead I wanted to consider the implications of what each option might mean, and I think the answer is: BOTH interpretations are valid.  Jeremiah wrote during captivity; his prophecies began prior to the Babylonian captivity, and continued after the destruction of Solomon’s Temple.  I think, therefore, that his message can refer to the fact that the people of Israel had previously endured captivity, and had been freed, but we can ALSO interpret his message as saying that, though they are being held captive again, God will lead them to freedom once more. 

Ultimately, isn’t the message – on a smaller scale – true for each of us, in our own lives?  We face adversity, yet we overcome it; when new forms of adversity emerge once again, we can look back and see that we survived it previously, and we know that by trusting in God, we can get through it once again.  So whichever translation of Jeremiah you are reading – whether it references surviving the sword and finding favor in the past or future tense – I believe that both are EQUALLY valid.  

Advent Devotional, December 7, 2014
Reading:  Luke 1: 26-38
Written by : Nicole Eastwood
Focus:  MARY

Luke prefaces the story of Mary by telling the story of the birth of John the Baptist. John’s parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah were “righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.” (Luke 1:6) Compared to the credentials of Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary’s qualifications are simple. She is engaged to a man from the lineage of David and she is a virgin. She is not lucky or gifted. God is the one extending favor (v28) to her.

This is such powerful news – that God chose to appear via one whom God favored, not one who was worthy. In fact, we go on to see that Mary will give birth to Jesus by 2 things:

1.      The Holy Spirit will come upon Mary, enabling her (the Spirit is the enabler) to do more than she could by herself.

2.      At the same time, the power of the Most High will overshadow her; God himself, the creator will surround her completely with his sovereign power.

a.      Remember, it is in God’s image that we are made

So there was Jesus in her womb, the Holy Spirit enabling, and God’s power creating – the Holy Trinity present.

What is God calling you to do? How is the Holy Spirit enabling you? What is God creating?

Creator God, thank you for making this good, good world. Thank you for being one who is always creating, and help me to know how to participate with you in creation. Holy Spirit, enable me to do more than I could by myself. And Lord Jesus, may you be Lord in my life, this Advent season and always. Help me to desire your Will, and not my own. Amen. 

Family Moment:

Mary - Luke 1:26-38 Mary wasn’t necessarily the fastest, the prettiest, the smartest, or the worthiest. And yet God chose her to be the mother of Jesus. God chose Mary because she was willing to be a servant of the Lord. God chooses each of us to serve God by serving others. What gifts or talents has God given you? How can you use those to serve others? How are you currently using them to serve others? Make a chart/picture/drawing together depicting the strengths of your family members, and how you can serve God. 

Advent Devotional, December 6th, 2014
Reading: Micah 5: 2-4
Written by:  Neil Lund

Three short verses by a minor prophet can take us in several quite different directions.  Bethlehem is noted in various translations as small, the runt, insignificant, too small for anything. What can come from such a backwater?  The obvious answer to us is Jesus, the Prince of Peace as implied by Micah. But Micah also meant something broader.  No matter how small or insignificant a person, place or event seems to humans, it is still important and meaningful to God. Persevere, for in the end God always wins.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help see that there is meaning in everyone and everything, no matter how small or insignificant it seems.

Amen