HOPE 1st Sunday of Advent

Even though it is still November, it is the first Sunday of 

Advent.

 noun

a coming into place, view, or being; arrival:the advent of the holiday season.

Usually Advent . the coming of Christ into the world.

Advent, the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, observed in commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world.  (Advent Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com)

As I have done every year, I share with you what we do for church advent each Sunday.   Last year I did something different that I had been inspired to do.  This year I am back to the traditional, more simple advent.   I encourage you to find your own advent candles and/or wreath.

LIGHT THE FIRST PURPLE CANDLE

  “This candle represents HOPE.

 

                        Matthew 1:20-23

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,  And whose hope is the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7-8

           

                        Prayer

Heavenly Father we thank you for the hope that we have in You.  You were, are and will be forever the HOPE of the world! May all who are here place their hope in You and You alone. Amen

 🎵 Hope For Everyone Matt Maher

Challenge

This morning as I headed into my prayer time I decided to challenge myself this week.... 

The challenge is thankfulness...being mindful of my words ...that in my conversations with God I utter nothing but gratitude and thankfulness.

And maybe that will even spill over to all those I  come in contact with!  

And so I challenge you to do the same!

Before words come out our mouth, they are born in our hearts.

📖 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45

So we need to have a grateful heart.

📖 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:15-16

I would suggest before words come out of the mouth....review them in your mind first....do they sound as if I am grateful? Thankful?

🙏My prayer is that for the week we can all be mindful and then thankful❤️

               Thanksgiving Day

                                    Tracey Thompson       ©TJT 2010

Thanksgiving is a time to gather those we love close by

We laugh and eat and celebrate and even enjoy some pie

We eat until our bellies are full, we work, and rest and play

But do we stop and give pause on Thanksgiving day?

To reflect on all the blessings that are showered from above

Gifts from our Lord and Savior, who lavishes us with love

Will we stop to think as we dress ourselves that morn,

 that we have choices of what to wear, what color or how warm?

As we bathe and shower and brush our teeth so clean

Should we pause and be grateful for the gift of simple hygiene?

As we prepare the food, with extra portions to spare

Will we take the time and thank the Lord that we have enough to share?

 As we smile across the table from family and loved ones so dear

Should we stop and say ”Thank you, Lord,  for all those gathered here”?

 As stories and memories are shared, even some with tears

Will we give thanks for those who touched our lives over the passing years?

 God has blessed us so with much, our cups to overflowing,

 if we only take the time and find what is most important in knowing

 that God’s love, and grace and mercy is there for us each day

 and we must share it with others we meet along the way.

Thank you God and Father

For loving us so

That you sent your Son

So Salvation we could know

🎵 Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart

Static

I was listening to a Christian radio station and really getting into the praise music....just getting my worship on...and it turns to static! Aaarrrggg!!! 

You want to, and maybe even do, grumble, complain, the raised hand becomes a raised fist! Ok...maybe a bit dramatic,

BUT it got me thinking!

Like in our relationship with our Lord, we can think we are really worshipping, feeling it and all of sudden...static!

But just like when you are in your car...the radio station or tower hasn't moved...you have.

In our walk with the Lord, if there is a lot of static, He hasn't moved, we have!

📖 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Though all we may hear is static, the music is still playing. 

We may have traveled into an area that could have things that cause interference.

Places that may almost completely block the signal or we have gotten too far from the source so that all we hear is the static, not what is actually there and intended

And what is the first thing we tend to do when we encounter static....just like when we are in our car....grumble and complain...."Where was God when I needed Him?" "Why are things so hard for me?!" "Why can't I just get the things I want in life?!"

But all that does is increase the static.

📖 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.  Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”  Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:13-15

We have to remove the things that cause interference and get ourselves to a place where we can clearly hear.

📖  He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Matthew 11:15 (NKJV)

We need to make sure we are traveling on roads that keep us in proximity to our source of life

We need to be near to God.

📖 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

🙏My prayer for you is that when you hit some static in your travels with Him, you are slow to grumble, quick to recognize the things causing interference and head away from them and can get back to full on worship!❤

Royalty

 As our children are growing up...we call the little girls princesses....there is all kinds of merchandise out there displaying the word.

Sometimes we even use it tounge-in-cheek or in humor or even sarcastically...."Doesn't SHE think SHE is a princess?!"

But isn't that what we are?!?!  Royalty! And not just little girls, but boys and big people too!!

If we have accepted the King of kings as our savior!!!

📖 God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 1 Timothy 6:15b

📖  If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."Romans 10:9-13

We are a new creation!

📖 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

📖 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light 1 Peter 2:9

He is a Prince 

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

and we now join with Him in His inheritance.

📖 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:16-17

As with any royalty there are rights and privileges correct!?

📖 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

📖 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians 5:20

More importantly duties. 

Think about cultures and countries in history that operate as a monarchy; with kings, queens as their leaders; if they are humble and believe they are in that position to serve the people...they are far more effective than someone who tries to lead with entitlement and pride and power.

The late Queen Elizabeth was an excellent example of humbling serving.

But the best example is Christ Himself

📖   In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

We, as heirs of Christ, are here to humbly serve any and all he puts in our path. Not to feel superior or better than anyone.

📖 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

🙏My prayer for you today is that you consider yourself royalty!  Heirs in Christ's kingdom!  ❤

As we go into election day tomorrow,  we should keep Christ's example in mind as we seek leaders who are humble servants of the people.