Advent Blog (Page 4)

Friday: Pondering HOPE Good morning! I am ending this week of focus on HOPE with a few application questions for you. Sound like homework? No worries! No deadlines! No grades! These questions are for you and only you (unless you want to share them with each other or alternatively, I would love to hear some of the ways you answer your questions!). The most important question first: 1. I mentioned “I am ending this week of focus on HOPE” but that makes no sense?! There is never a day that goes by that HOPE isn’t part of what we need to think about, consider, andRead More →

Thursday: HOPE 2019 Quick summary of our week together so far regarding the Advent theme of HOPE: HOPE is the expectation of something beneficial in our future as contrasted to our current difficulties/challenges. Our Biblical authors – Isaiah, Matthew and Paul, cleverly interwove the theme of HOPE in their texts without mentioning the word HOPE! Isaiah encourages God’s desolate people of their eventual freedom and vindication; Matthew uses Joseph’s predicament to contrast shame and disgrace with the coming of a Savior; and Paul details the conversion of Lydia as she forsakes paganism and darkness in exchange for living water and a fruit-of-the-spirit future. Where inRead More →

Wednesday: Pastor Jerry’s focus on HOPE in December 1 sermon Sunday, Pastor Jerry applied the theme of HOPE to Acts 16: 11-15. Before we consider his application, let’s review the meaning of HOPE discussed yesterday: HOPE is to trust in, wait or look for, desire something, or to expect something beneficial in the future. Evidently, according to Acts 16, Lydia had lived as a pagan, had been unaware of the good news of the gospel, and even though sensitive to God, was living in darkness. Upon hearing Paul’s message, her heart was opened by the Holy Spirit and she believed the good news shared byRead More →

TUESDAY: Reflection – HOPE in SCRIPTURE Monday, you read passages from Isaiah and Matthew. Go back to the passages where you accessed this devotional or look up Isaiah 62 and Matthew 1:18-24, taking a couple of minutes to re- read the passages. Recall I mentioned that the scriptures were about the HOPE for Salvation, Redemption, and the Incarnation. Does something strike you? Is it strange I chose scriptures to exemplify HOPE yet the word HOPE was not mentioned? Hope is to trust in, wait or look for, desire something, or to expect something beneficial in the future. And as is the case in scripture, waitingRead More →

This first week of ADVENT, we are looking at the theme of HOPE. Monday we are meditating on two passages that emphasize the HOPE conveyed to God’s people promising the gifts of SALVATION, REDEMPTION, and the INCARNATION. MONDAY: HOPE in SCRIPTURE ISAIAH 62 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. 2  The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow. 3  You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diademRead More →