Month: December 2015

The Thirteenth Day of Advent

Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:32-33 (NASB)

If you read the headlines today, you will certainly find tribulation. Wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, pestilence, and famine…there is turmoil everywhere you turn. World peace may be the goal of many, but it is certainly not a reality. For generations, mankind has sought peace. When Jesus was facing imminent death, He gave His disciples a beautiful promise. He said, “…in Me you may have peace.” As we celebrate the birth of Christ here at Christmas, what better blessing could we give than “peace on earth, good will toward men.” Jesus Christ is true peace. As we celebrate His birth, we can give no greater gift to others than the blessing of peace in Christ.

The World ≠ Peace

The World = Tribulation

Jesus > World

Jesus = Peace

Larry Soape

The Twelfth Day of Advent

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”   John 14:27

Have you ever been in such dire circumstances that you longed for peace and comfort and saw no possible way to attain either? Perhaps many of us have been there, in that pit of despair.   But why do we linger there? In this passage, Jesus is assuring us that He gives us peace. But is He the first one we turn to in our longing for relief? Sometimes we do nothing. Sometimes we engage in self-pity. Sometimes we try to fix it ourselves. All of these strategies, and many others of the world, leave us longing still. But the peace our Savior here speaks of, nay, promises, is real, true and present. What a joy to be expectant of Jesus giving you peace in such trying times! Believe that He wants to calm your spirit. Trust Him and do not be afraid.

Shellye McNaughton

The Eleventh Day of Advent

Ephesians 2:12-22 The Message (MSG)

11-13 But don’t take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God’s ways had no idea of any of this, didn’t know the first thing about the way God works, hadn’t the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God’s covenants and promises in Israel, hadn’t a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything.

14-15 The Messiah has made things up between us so that we’re now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody.

16-18 Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility. Christ came and preached peace to you outsiders and peace to us insiders. He treated us as equals, and so made us equals. Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father.

19-22 That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul addresses hostility, division, and self-interest among the believers.  Newly converted Gentiles and Jews were wasting precious time and energy quarreling with each other. (Sounds a little like my Facebook feed.) Paul’s reminder to them is one we desperately need today:  Christ came to bring peace to those who will embrace Kingdom living. It doesn’t matter how we came to accept this; in fact, nothing matters unless we do. Jesus is God’s gift to us, and not any one of us can take credit for God’s plan of salvation. There are no “insiders” or “outsiders” in the body of Christ. Our Peace came in the form of a babe in a manger. Our Peace came through a crucifix and then an empty tomb. Our Peace comes when we unite and allow the Master Builder to place us, brick by brick, where He wants us to help build His Kingdom. Our world today, like Paul’s, is troubled, but we can find Peace. My prayer is that we will cease the divisiveness and join together, in Peace, to “see it take shape day after day– a holy temple build by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.”

Laura Aten

The Tenth Day of Advent

 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:8-15  (NIV)

“… and they were terrified.”

When the prophet, Isaiah, was in God’s presence he cried, “Woe to me!…I am ruined!” Isaiah 6

During the transfiguration, at the voice of the Lord, Peter, James and John “fell face down to the ground, terrified.”  Matthew 17

When Christ in His glory came to John on Patmos, John “fell at his feet as though dead.”  Revelation 1

Prophecies throughout scripture speak of our magnificent God sitting on his resplendent throne reigning and judging with thundering power.  In His presence all fall on their face in worship and “day and night they never stop saying, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” Revelation 4

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.”

Because of Christ, our beautiful Savior, I am not ruined.  I am not crushed.  I am not dead.  I am covered with saving grace in God’s presence.

This advent I am especially thankful for my Savior.  His favor rests on me, covers me, casts out fear and has brought everlasting peace in the presence of our glorious, terrible God.

Rebekah Georges

The Ninth Day of Advent

“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.  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, saying, “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.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 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 1:18-25 ESV).

Young woman + unexplainable pregnancy + family expectations   ≠   PEACE.

Well, not from a “reasonable” perspective…   However, God often sets up a scene from which we jump to a forgone conclusion…only to quietly insert the most splendid word – the tiniest word that turns impending disaster to something unexpected.    “But.”

Circumstances invaded Joseph’s world. Mature logic led him to action.   BUT.

“But, as he considered these things…” Joseph took time and in that moment became aware of the presence of God… the intention of God. And a new trajectory was established.

Circumstances did not change. All questions were not answered. Others would not agree. But Mary, Joseph, and God were at PEACE. Mary, Joseph, and God harmoniously living out “their” story.

What distressing events have entered your life? As you run full tilt down the “logical” path, will you take time to consider? But! Take time to feel the presence of God… to hear ONE voice above others.

Peace is not the absence of “disturbing” events. Peace is awareness of God and harmony with Him in the midst of those events. There is no greater peace than to be “with God” as the two of you live out your story.

Susan Kaminski

The Eighth Day of Advent

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2 (NIV)

The backdrop for history’s greatest story was a town named Bethlehem. It was small, lacking notoriety in the eyes of the world. The Message translation describes Bethlehem as “the runt of the litter.” Nevertheless, it was here God brought a Savior to the world.

Why did God choose Bethlehem, an insignificant town in Judea? He didn’t care that Bethlehem was an unequipped city… Its worldly stature was irrelevant; Bethlehem was a small city God knew had potential for something extraordinary.

Are there ever moments you feel like the runt of the world’s litter? You are not alone. God used David, Esther, and Moses (even as a baby), all of whom were undistinguished in comparison to others. He worked through willing hearts to accomplish astounding things. He does not care if you are an unlikely choice like Bethlehem. You can find peace, knowing your willingness will be answered with all the strength and endurance that’s necessary. God’s heart delights in empowering the insignificant to do big things.

Find peace in the midst of a broken world by placing your certainty in the Creator of your life’s story…a God who uses the humble for the extraordinary.

Anna Grace Salter

This week’s Re:Verse passage is Matthew 1:18 – 2:12

The Seventh Day of Advent

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2: 1-7

If God is our hope, why are we ever discouraged? Do we think our trials indicate God is not loving or in control? The story of Jesus’ birth tells us differently. Only God has power so great as to create all the circumstances of Jesus’ birth just as He said. Caesar Augustus’ military power appeared to control the census that took Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. But only God’s universal power could create historic events so Jesus was born from the lineage of King David in Bethlehem, exactly as the inspired prophets declared centuries before.

History is not controlled by the strength of nations and power of leaders. This is our Father’s world and everything is designed and sustained by Him for a glorious purpose. Our lives are not controlled by random events and unpredictable circumstances. With loving precision God designs our lives with a purpose – that we would know Him and love Him. He sent Jesus into the world to demonstrate His unfailing love for you. This Christmas will you refocus your heart on God and His love for you in Jesus? Let Him be the focus of all your hopes.

For family discussion:

• When have you wondered if God loved you?
• What does God’s design in Jesus’ birth say about His purpose for your life?
• What adjustment will you make to refocus your heart on God’s love for you in Jesus?

Barbara Reaoch

This week’s Re:Verse passage is Matthew 1:18 – 2:12

The Sixth Day of Advent
 
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever,just as he promised our ancestors.” Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. Luke 1:46-56 New International Version (NIV)

This is known as Mary’s Song. Inside Mary was the hope of the world and for all humanity. This is a literal as well as spiritual thought. Inside Mary was Jesus- the Savior of the world and mankind. Mary was a teenage girl when she had Jesus. As a teenage girl I can’t imagine the overwhelming responsibility of raising the Son of God. In that way, she had hope literally inside her. More importantly, she carried hope for all people. In the scripture above it states, “His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.” This demonstrates our eternal hope because his mercy goes from generation to generation. He never stops loving us and that gives us hope. In verse 53 it states, “He has filled the hungry with good things…” The Lord provides for our needs.  The Lord gives us hope. Through Him we will be blessed now, for generations to come, and throughout eternity. He is merciful, loving and kind.  My hope is in the Lord! Are there ways you can share this hope with others today?

Danielle King

This week’s Re:Verse passage is Matthew 1:18 – 2:12

The Fifth Day of Advent

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38 (NLT)

As I read these verses, events are happening worldwide where evil, mated to chaos, appears to be on the advance. Much as it was in Mary’s day, wolves are at the door. At that time, for Mary, for Israel, for all men, the situation seemed hopeless and insurmountable.

But Hope was on the move and the impossible was happening quickly. An elderly couple who had been barren for decades was expecting a child. A small, backwater village would produce the Savior of all mankind. A young teenage virgin was chosen to be the mother of the Son of God. And this Holy Baby would rule forever.

This was all so unfathomable that it caused Mary’s head to spin. Mary spoke for all mankind when she asked, “how can this happen?” How can the impossible happen? The answer was succinct and to the point, “nothing is impossible with God.” Only the Most High God could sow these seeds of Hope in the midst of advancing evil. The world could only watch and wonder as the Holy Spirit moved at breakneck speed.

What was Mary’s response to God’s impossible Hope? This poor, uneducated, unsophisticated teenage girl chose to let go of her reputation, her family and her own plans for the future, in order to place herself completely into the hands of God. In our own impossible situations we can we follow Mary’s example, we can let go and trust in the God of impossible hope.

Tony Gerloff

This week’s Re:Verse passage is Matthew 1:18 – 2:12

The Fourth Day of Advent

Again Isaiah says,

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:12-13 (NASB)

Southern and Eastern Africa have always been enamored with the Baobab tree. It is a conundrum to many: how can a tree so large, survive the dry and sometime drought- ridden winter months of the savanna. The answer lies with the tree’s extensive network of roots, hundreds of organic pipes pulling in water across the ground. Romans 15: 7-13 tells us of a root that comes from the line of Jesse, a root that like the roots of the Baobab tree, is the source of life in a dry land. Hope has come to the Gentiles through Christ; Matthew 12:21 testifies of this, proclaiming that the Gentiles will place their hope in Jesus. We are getting closer and closer to Christmas, a time when most people in our culture concentrate more on gifts and family than the hope the holiday truly represents. Many miss it. The gentile kings who brought gifts to the LORD missed it: Yes, He was born King of the Jews, but He was also the great beacon of hope to the Gentiles. He is the hope to the nations. This Christmas, we must embrace the truth that this holiday represents: Christ is the great hope that brings us life.

Kwenje Banda

This week’s Re:Verse passage is Matthew 1:18 – 2:12