Advent

Listening to God

Psalm 85: 8-13

Mary Lou C.

Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. (Psalm 85: 11)
I can relate to this verse. At the young age of 20, I married a farmer. I can admit now, I was pretty nalve about the lifestyle change ahead of me. The number one thing I have learned is that farming is a whole lot of hard work. I have grown to love and appreciate our lifestyle. There is such a pride in farming. When a person is raised in the city or suburbs, they don’t really understand what it is to be self-sufficient. You mean you can live off the land? The first 11 years of our marriage, we lived in a big old farmhouse outside of Deer Creek. Kevin would cut wood, and we would heat the house with a wood-burning furnace. This was my introduction to being self-sufficient, and the house smelled like hickory. My farmer husband is a steward of the land and tends to his herd of cattle daily. To me, this exemplifies faithfulness. I now understand sustainability and the gift that it is.

As humans, it is our nature to be judgmental, although we know it is wrong. We are told over and over that our judgment day will come. God is the only one who sits on the throne. As Christians, we need to hold onto our faith. It is a great source of strength. Believe that the Lord wants to bless you, and you will be amazed at his glory and promises to those who believe. The world would be a much better place if we could realize we are all part of God’s family.

Prayer: Lord, please give us eyes to see you, and ears to hear you. Help us to be bold in our faith and believe that you want what is best for us. Amen

Doers of the Word

James 1:22-25

By Richard T.

The letter of James is short and powerful. James boldly declares, “faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” In today’s reading, James says we must be “doers of the word.” Many people struggle with their faith and just barely make it from day to day, finding it difficult to include God in any part of their lives.

Sometimes I think that by remaining strong in faith, we are doers of the word; and if we faithfully attend church and tithe, we are doers of the word. A good way to be a doer of the word is by finding a ministry to focus on. Churches have ministries to participate in, or you can find your own. I know that after prayer and meditation, God has opened up avenues for me to take, even in small ways.

For example, one evening when I was driving to a music performance– I’m a musician– I asked God to use me in any way he needed. Later, as I was loading my equipment into the building, a man came out of the shadows and asked if I had any money I could give him. He said he would help me carry my equipment in return. I asked him why he needed the money. He said he drove up from the south to look for work, but some time during the day his truck broke down and now he needed money to purchase a train ticket home. I knew immediately that this was answered prayer, so I helped by purchasing his ticket.

Maybe you have a ministry. If not, prayerfully consider a direction to take. Expect doors to be opened.

Prayer: Loving God, thank you for answered prayers. Help us to be strong enough in our faith that we can be doers of your word. Amen

The Power of Prayer

Luke 1 :47-55  (New International Version)

By Joan Herron

Is it my imagination, or are my daily prayers significantly longer than they used to be? Remember our childhood prayers? “God Bless Mommy and Daddy … ” The older we get, the more we realize just how much prayer is needed in our world. Our families, our friends, our church, our wider community– there is so much need in the world today that we could be on our knees 24/7 and still feel helpless. On a personal levelabuse, addiction, divorce, loneliness … on a community and world level-hunger, war, neglect…where do we start?

Then, the reassurances of scripture such as this passage come to help us. The Mighty One has done great things for me! Along with the problems of the world come the joys: love, loyalty, faith, family, fellowship and the knowledge that God is with us always. There is no anguish for the sins around us unless we also know how to love and to feel compassion. This Advent season is the perfect time to thank God for being able to feel that compassion and love.

Prayer: Dear God, we thank You for all You have done for us. We know that it is only because we can feel love and compassion so strongly that we are able to lament the heartache that can touch our neighbors. Help us to embrace this compassion and all it means, along with the responsibilities of being a caring people. The anticipation of Jesus’ birth fills us with excitement and joy, and the opportunity to care for those around us. Amen.

Seeking Justice

Isaiah 1:16-17

By Jessica B.

I admit it: I like a sermon that includes a little scolding. For me, the most powerful thing about a spiritual path is its call for radical personal change-for fundamental transformation in our way of seeing, our way of being, our attachments and our clouded lives, preoccupied as we are with our own petty selves. I need to be reminded, again and again, of what lies beyond my own small concerns. What I want from religion is transcendence and transformation, and I can’t transcend if I’m cross about the laundry. Sometimes I need to hear sharp words.

But the call in Isaiah’s vision is uncomfortably sharp. Cease to do evil! Seek justice! These are not gentle words. To rescue the oppressed and defend the orphan demands resources that I tell myself I don’t have, resources that I don’t want to give up. Self-interest is strong, and that is what this passage commands us to renounce. Well, in context, it actually commands us to renounce offerings and incense, but the lesson still applies: It is not enough to profess devotion. We must live out God’s Kingdom on this earth.

Prayer: Heavenly Creator and source of universal love, lead us to seek out the oppressed and to recognize our responsibility to others. Teach us to do good, fill us with a desire for justice that annihilates self-interest, and help us to live our lives with compassion for all living creatures.

The God of All Creation

Luke 19:38-40 (Good News Version)

By Don Z.

Jesus answered, “If they keep quiet, I tell you, the stones themselves will shout.”

This account of Jesus’ response to complaints that his followers were “disturbing the peace” with shouts of adoration and praise has stood out for me since I first heard it read when I was very young. Jesus’ reply to the complaints was short and to the point. If these followers were silent, the very stones would cry out. Truth must be heard!

Since the days of my youth, these words of truth have rung in my ears. This has happened when I was quiet, when the truth of Jesus’ life and teachings were desperate to be heard. I haven’t ever heard the stones cry out in praise of Jesus and his Way, but I have noticed many times when all nature sings loudly-like when polar bears and seals, bald eagles and other species of life on this earth are crying out, “HELP”!!!

Yet, generation after generation turn deaf ears to the plight of all kinds of life on this planet, as they are sacrificed to money-hungry vultures who prey upon defenseless ones. From rain forests to glaciers, from baby seals to elephants, even the great whales of the deep. Greedy humans prey upon any creature, resource, and anything of value to selfish profiteers, so often under the guise of free enterprise; the abuse and misuse of life and resources continues. Jesus was born “Prince of Peace,” for ALL OF CREATION!!!

Prayer: Loving and dependable God, we bow in your presence, our hearts near bursting with your love. As we walk through these days of Advent, help us, we pray, to gain perspective on life and faith and rediscover the Spirit of the living Christ in us and in all creation. Amen

Preparing for the Messiah

Mark 1 :1-8

Rachael W.

I will send my messenger ahead of you, Who will prepare your way, a voice calling you in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, Make straight paths for Him.’

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

When God created us in the womb, He had a plan in mind for us. God’s plan is what we can consider our highest calling. It’s the calling we were made for, the one that was made to benefit the world and ourselves. When John appeared on earth, he passionately followed God’s calling for his life. He was unafraid of the obstacles he would face. He lived in the wilderness, ate strange food, wore strange clothes, and preached a message that not everyone wanted to hear. John did what he did not simply because he loved it, but because he knew that God would do great things through him.

Prayer: Lord, we have all experienced being lost and lonely in our lifetimes. Let John be our example in our pursuit for Your divine purpose in our lives. Help us to hear Your voice and follow that high calling You have placed on our lives. Amen.

Comfort for God’s People

Isaiah 40:1-11 (New International Version)

By Carol B-B

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”

We bring good news to Zion—to our friends and family, our neighbors and community, and to all the world. Jesus is born. Jesus is here. Jesus is our hope, and He wipes away our tears and carries us close to His heart. How does this look in our daily lives?

A friend loses a precious loved one. We support them with our prayers, our words, our presence, and our casseroles whenever they’re needed. A child shows up on Sunday morning, every week, without gloves or a hat, yet the outside temperature is 25 degrees, with a constant frigid wind blowing without fail from the north. We respond quietly with a child-size scarf, a hat, and heavy gloves, checking to be sure that child has a warm jacket or coat in good repair to move through each day of the winter. A man sits alone in the corner of Hardee’s, sipping a cup of coffee. He’s wearing a grimy stocking cap, ripped and stained jeans, with shaggy hair and a beard. His shoes have holes in the toes, and there’s a dime on the table next to his cup. We ask him if he’s hungry and what would he like. And then sit down with him, to share a few moments with him, to remind him he’s alive, he’s visible, and he is loved, just like each of us.

These are ways to bring good news. We all have ways to do this … sending texts or making a phone call to someone to say “hi, thinking of you;” sending a card or an email to share love. Paying for the person’s meal behind you at the drive-up window. Parking the car further away, knowing someone else needs that close spot by the door more than we do. Smiling. Just smiling. And praying without ceasing. These actions clearly shout-“Here is your God! God of all, come to earth, for each of us. To transform us, claim us, save us from ourselves.”

God transforms others through us-through each way we respond to God’s love for us. We model what we want. We model what God models for us every day-loving unconditionally, completely, as only God can love. The entire world shifted 2,000 years ago, when Jesus was born. Everything began to change— and will never be the same again. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: God of second chances, hear our prayers of thanksgiving for each of us, for Your Son, Jesus the Christ, who was born to save us all, to bring comfort and love, peace and joy for all Your people. Thank you, God, for the transforming power of His birth and life, and Your faith in us to boldly proclaim the Gospel. With words, if necessary. All glory and honor to You, Almighty God, forever and ever! Amen

Keeping it in Focus

1 Peter 1 : 1 0-16

By Bill W.

Peter is writing to the Jewish Christians that were scattered all over after having been driven out of Jerusalem. He is reminding them of the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ-there is hope and grace. They must, however, live daily as an example to others. Their belief should manifest itself in how they behave.

Peter’s words were: “therefore, focusing your mind and being spiritually sober, set your hope squarely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1 :13)

This should cause us to think about what the birth of Jesus really means to us and how we should react and respond. This should be the foundation for how we celebrate this holy season. How can we tighten our belt and be responsible with what we say and what we do? Let us pledge to think often of God’s grace as we plan and celebrate the season. If we do so with much prayer, we will certainly be focusing our mind on the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Gracious God, we come today asking for your guidance as we hear Peter’s words to “gird up,” and focus on the gift of Jesus Christ. Help us to be more conscious with decisions we make and more determined to follow your will for us. Thank you for your great gift of grace. Amen

Longing for the Lord

Psalm 63:1-8

By Kevin K

We all long for things-possessions we think we cannot live without, like a pair of shoes, the latest and greatest gadgets, or perhaps a past romance. All of these things are nothing compared to God.

In Psalm 63, David’s longing for the Lord is powerful.

The statements he makes are ones all Christians should follow. We need to put ourselves in this verse stating, “I search for God, I thirst for God, and I long for God”.

To search for God is everybody’s individual journey.

Maybe you will find him in church, through meditation, or on a walk in the woods-one of my personal favorites. We all have our special place to be with the Lord.

Do you thirst for his knowledge and teachings? Hearing his words from the Bible or through others will give a peace God can only give. How about longing for his presence? Is your ambition strong enough to want him and hold on to him forever? For following God’s rules are for now and as long as we shall live-not just one day a week, but for the rest of your lives.

As we currently live in this “parched and weary land,” we need the Lord. With troubled times around, I find myself longing for the Lord more than ever. Knowing he is with me calms my soul. For when my time comes, I can say, “0 God, you are my God.”

Prayer: Almighty Lord, may my longing for you never end, and may my thirst for you never run dry. Amen

Practice Hospitality

Hebrews 13:1-2

By Janet W

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Hospitality. It’s one of humanity’s most ancient needs and has been around since the earliest days. God even taught hospitality in the Garden! As easy as the term hospitality sounds, not all of us are good at it. I, for one, am guilty of not always putting on my best for my sisters and brothers in Christ. (Can you say ”tiny house?” I still struggle with my own weakness in this area-and constantly have to remind myself that one does not need a mansion, or bags of money, in order to be hospitable!)

Some of the most precious hospitality gifts can come disguised in the smallest packages and from the meekest of the Earth. Take the innkeeper on that fateful night. Mary and Joseph were desperate-they had nowhere else to turn. The innkeeper had very little to offer. There was no room left. And yet, he offered them what he could: A tiny, cramped, smelly, barely-good-enough-for-the-animals space in a stable.

And yet…imagine Mary’s comfort at NOT having to deliver him completely exposed in the harsh night. It was at least warm, somewhat dry-at least it was shelter. God had promised them He would provide, and God did.

As we journey with Mary and Joseph toward that preordained manger and the birth of our Messiah, we can focus our hearts on the amazing gifts of hospitality they (and we) receive along the way-even the smallest, meekest ones. And maybe learn from them. And perhaps entertain some angels ourselves.

Prayer: Gracious, warm, all-giving God-just as you unselfishly gave us the greatest gift of your Son, Jesus the Christ, we ask that You fill us up until our hearts are overflowing with kindness and hospitality-toward all humankind, strangers and friends. Amen