Category: Advent

Advent 20–God Came Down

Posted on by Paula

God’s people were suffering in slavery and crying out. God heard their cries and decided to come down to rescue them. He chose to call Moses and work through him. However, Moses had a lot of excuses as to why He couldn’t be a part of God’s plan. Moses sounded something like this, “I’m nobody…. I don’t know what to say…. What if they don’t believe me?… I am slow of speech and tongue…. Please, send someone else.”

Of course, God had all of the answers. He would be with Moses, and Moses should tell the people that it was he who sent Moses. He reminded Moses that this wasn’t Moses’ job but that he would display his power through Moses. God made it clear that he is the one who created Moses and his tongue, and he would help him speak. God worked through Moses to rescue his people from their misery and their slavery.

Years later, God came down through his Son, Jesus, to rescue his people from their slavery to sin.  Jesus lived a perfect life and paid for our sins by dying on the cross. He rose from the dead and before ascending into heaven, he left instructions,

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…. (Matthew 28:18-20a)

The beauty of God’s story is that just as God called an unlikely, ordinary guy like Moses, he has also called each of us no matter how unlikely we or others view ourselves. That’s right, God has called you! Just like Moses, you may have a list of excuses as well, but Jesus didn’t leave us hanging helplessly with his final instructions. He finished verse 20 with these words,

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

After Jesus ascended into heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and our Lord, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. The Holy Spirit will always be with us, give us the power and give us the words.

Just as God was with Moses, he is with us. God wants to reach down through you to rescue his people. Look around. Where is God at work, and whose heart is he working on? As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, it’s the perfect time to share with others who God is and what he has done. Will you obey his call?

Advent Day 19–His Spirit Lives in You

Posted on by Paula

The sign at the little country church caught my eye when I was on a road trip one day. It was obvious that the establishment date of 33 AD on the sign was not talking about the building it leaned against.

The Church isn’t a building; the Church is the group of people who trust and follow Jesus. The people of the Church are scattered all over the world but joined together in unity through the Holy Spirit who lives in each individual. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NLT), “Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?”

Christmas is so much more than celebrating the birth of a baby. That baby, Jesus, was born to offer himself as a sacrifice on the cross and to save us from our sin that separates us from God. I am thankful for the great sacrifice Jesus made and that he rose from the dead so that if I die to myself, I receive new life—eternal life—in him. I am thankful that he ascended back into heaven where he sits at the right hand of the Father and that he poured out his Spirit to dwell in those who choose to follow him.

As we celebrate the miracle of a Baby born to a virgin, let us celebrate as well the miracle of his resurrection, the miracle of his Spirit living in us, the miracle of the powerful work that the Spirit does in our lives as he transforms us to be more like Jesus and the miracle of the Holy Spirit working through us, the Church, to share God’s love and message of hope with others.

During this Advent season when we are preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Let us not take for granted his great sacrifice but remember Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:20, “…you were bought at a price….”

Advent Day 18–Sweet Cravings

Posted on by Paula

There are plenty of sweets to go around at Christmas time. It’s that time of year when families all across the country join in the tradition of making cookies, breads, candies and other goodies. Not only do they make these treats for home but they also make them to share with others. Those with a sweet tooth need not search long to find a way to get their sugar fix.

Our physical bodies may crave sugar, but our souls have cravings as well. The Bible says that God’s words are sweeter than honey. As we feed on God’s words and really dig into their goodness, they resonate in our innermost being. We find them delightful, satisfying and life-changing when we take our time to really relish them and let them digest deep within our souls.

They are sweet not only as we consume them but equally as sweet as we share them with others. God’s words are just too incredible to keep them to ourselves. As we share our sweets with others this year, let’s share God’s words of truth, love and life as well. The cookies we deliver will probably not last very long, but God’s words will last for eternity.

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” ~Psalm 119:103

Advent Day 17–Treasures

Posted on by Paula

Ah, Christmastime! I remember writing my Christmas list as a child and continuing to add to that list. I could hardly wait until Christmas morning to see what was inside all of the beautifully wrapped boxes!

As an adult, I invest hours of my time searching for just the right gifts for family and friends. I’m always anxious to watch the recipient open their gift; I feel great when I chose a gift that the recipient loves. However, even the very best gifts that I wrap up and put under the tree won’t last forever. Some of those gifts will break or wear out over time. New clothes may not fit after all of the great holiday food, and if they do, they probably won’t be in style for too long. “Must have” toys, video games and movies will become boring after a while. Newer versions of electronic devices will be on the market before the user can totally master the ones they receive at Christmas.

How many gifts of Christmas past are simply gathering dust or taking up space in a cluttered closet? Maybe some of our “must-have” items aren’t really as important as we think. After all, we can’t take any of our belongings with us when our earthly bodies die, and our belongings can’t buy our way into heaven. In the end, Jesus is all that matters.

There is nothing wrong with giving or receiving gifts. In fact, giving gifts can be a reflection of God’s love and all that he blesses us with. He has given us so much, and it is only natural for us to want to give to others as well. The problem is when our gifts or possessions become more important to us than Jesus.

In Luke 18:18-29, a man asked Jesus how he could inherit eternal life; he had kept God’s commands. Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” The man became sad; wealth was the one thing that kept him from following Jesus.

Jesus doesn’t ask all of us to sell our belongings, but he does want to be our greatest desire. He doesn’t want anything to get in our way of following him. He wants our hearts to be set on eternal life with him in heaven and on sharing that message with others. How many precious souls will gain eternal life because you told them the Good News of the Gospel?

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ~Jesus , Matthew 6:19-21

Advent Day 16–The Greatest Gift

Posted on by Paula
Grandpa and Grandma Shouse and Me

My Grandpa and Grandma Shouse had 8 children and too many grandchildren and great grandchildren for me to try to count. Because their family was so large, we didn’t get together for a big meal or gift exchange at Christmas.

However, every year on Christmas day, my parents, siblings and I would go to Grandpa and Grandma’s house for a visit. Grandpa would get his Bible off the stand on the coffee table and read Luke chapter 2. While we were there, other aunts, uncles and cousins were sure to show up at some point. Since all of Grandpa’s children and grandchildren showed up at different times, I have often wondered how many times on Christmas day my Grandpa read Luke chapter 2. I miss those special times when we all sat quietly and listened to Grandpa read aloud about the birth of Jesus.

My grandpa died on May 14 of 1982. I was in 8th grade and remember being pulled out of Mr. Pickett’s classroom to join my cousin Brian in the hallway while my dad and uncle told us the news.

For my 8th grade graduation that year, my grandma gave me a little “Soul Winner’s New Testament” with “’Call unto me.’ –Jeremiah 33:3” written in gold lettering. Inside were words presenting it to me from her and Grandpa even though Grandpa had gone on to heaven.

I don’t think I realized what a precious gift my grandparents (and parents) had passed down to me until later in life. A big part of who I am today has been shaped by the words on those pages…words that taught me what is right, words that taught me of God’s unconditional love, words that taught me to love, words that gave wisdom to help me grow, words that gave direction when I didn’t know which way to go, words that brought strength, comfort and peace in times of trouble, words of life.

Of all the gifts that I have received at Christmas, the gift of hearing the Good News about Jesus and celebrating his birth is the gift that has lasted and had the biggest impact on my life. Because of the relationship I have with Jesus after hearing those words and recognizing God’s call, I have peace. Because I believe the Good News I heard, I want to share those words with others, and there is no greater joy than seeing others recognize God’s call after they hear the words as well.

God’s word is alive and working and is sharper than a double-edged sword. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined, to the center of our joints and bones. And it judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts.” ~Hebrews 4:12 NCV

 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. ~Romans 10:9-10 NIV

Advent Day 15–Share the Good News!

Posted on by Paula

The third Advent candle is the “Shepherd Candle” or the “Candle of Joy.” This candle reminds us that God sent the angels to announce the birth of Jesus first to the lowly shepherds. Just as he chose to spread the Good News about Jesus through these ordinary men, he still uses ordinary people to spread the Good News of Jesus today. The pink color represents joy or rejoicing and reveals a shift from repentance toward celebration.

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.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. ~Luke 2:8-20

Today, I saw two men standing by a tall wooden cross on the beach. One of the men was a retired Marine; the other was retired from the Army. They were asking people to pray for our country and our troops and also handing out papers declaring that Jesus is America’s only hope. The men were striking up conversations with people asking if they were Christians. If the person answered, “yes,” they were asked, “What would your answer be if you were to stand before God today, and he asked why he should let you into heaven?” One of the men told me that they were saddened by the amount of people who called themselves Christians but thought they would get to heaven just because they go to church or because they are good people. They wanted to make sure people know that our hope of eternal life comes only through our faith in Jesus. The men explained that they believe the end times are near and that we need to share the Gospel with as many people as we can.

God wants all of us to share the Good News about Jesus with others. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar, the pastor of a church or a Sunday school teacher. You just have to find your way of sharing God’s message of love, salvation and hope with those who need to hear. Who will you share the Good News with this week?

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” ~Isaiah 52:7

Advent Day 14–Are You Prepared?

Posted on by Paula

I hadn’t gotten much rest all week. I’d been busy preparing for a trip to visit my son and daughter-in-law in Florida. I needed to get things done in the office and make sure things were covered the next week. I had a long to-do list at home as well, “laundry, cleaning, bill paying, grocery shopping, Christmas shopping, wrapping gifts, packing….” I did my best, but a few things had to be left for my family to complete for me.

There were mental preparations as well. I don’t like to fly. At all. It just feels wrong to be up that high. I also had a lot of “what ifs” about the trip that I had to let go of.

After much physical and mental preparation, there I sat, really tired, looking at the airplane wing out my window. No turning back now. Nothing to do but sit and trust…trust that I packed everything I need, trust that the things I didn’t get finished before leaving would get taken care of if they were truly necessary, trust that I’d arrive safely to my destination and that God would take care of all the other “what ifs.”

I thought about how much work it took to get to this point. I had crammed as much as I could into my checked bag and the bag I chose for my personal item. I was amazed by the people who boarded the plane carrying nothing. How in the world did they do that?

As we prepared for take-off, I thought about how much easier it is to prepare for our eternal destination in heaven. Sometimes we make it difficult by all the “do’s” and by all of the “don’ts” that we put on ourselves, when it’s really so simple. Jesus took care of all of the “do’s and don’ts” for us when he died for our sins. All we have to do is believe and trust in him. Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that he died and rose again. Trust in him as Lord by turning away from our sin and following him. In doing so, we will be saved for eternity. He will take care of the rest.

As you are busy making your physical and mental preparations for your Christmas celebrations, ask yourself if you are spiritually prepared for your future. Being prepared for your eternal destination is the simplest yet most important preparation you will ever make. Are you prepared?

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ~Romans 10:9

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~Matthew 11:28-30

 

Advent Day 13–Running on Empty

Posted on by Paula

Are you running on empty? In this season of giving, we can push ourselves to go, go, go, and then suddenly find ourselves drained.

It’s Friday, and many of us are looking forward to the weekend. I imagine there are several of us that still have a long “to do” list. However, each of us really must find time to take care of our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. It’s not selfish to take a break and rejuvenate ourselves. We need to let God re-fuel us. Even Jesus knew the importance of rest.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Mark 6. Jesus and the disciples had been so busy ministering to the people that they didn’t even have a chance to eat. Jesus beckoned them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” After a refreshing break, they were ready to pour out to others again. We cannot give if we have nothing left. Take care of yourself this weekend by finding a quiet place to be alone with Jesus for a while let him breathe life back into you.

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” ~Mark 6:30-34

Advent Day 12–To Tree or Not to Tree?

Posted on by Paula

“To tree or not to tree?” That is the question I asked myself this year. My kids of course wanted me to put up the Christmas tree, but, none of them wanted to help. The kids are all older now, and I have been really busy. Maybe this would be the year that we wouldn’t have a Christmas tree.

Putting up the Christmas tree is a lot of work. It usually takes me all day and makes a huge mess. Inevitably, the lights don’t work. Furthermore, the cat hides in the tree. The dog knows the cat isn’t supposed to be in the tree. So she ends up messing up the lights and tinsel as she tries to get the cat out. The tree rattles and shakes; ornaments fall. And then, after just a few weeks, the ornaments and decorations have to be taken off the tree so that the tree can be taken apart and put into storage. Why do we even need a tree? Is putting one up really worth taking time out of my busy schedule?

I seriously thought about leaving the tree packed away this year, but as each day of December passed, the corner where the tree usually stands seemed emptier and emptier. I finally decided to drag everything out and start assembling it.

I may have grumbled a bit as I twisted hundreds of little branches into shape. I might have come close to having a melt-down when I realized on the fourth level of branches that I had somehow missed the very bottom level and would have to move all of the branches down. However, as I unwrapped the ornaments, I was reminded of special times and special people who had made an impact on my life.

Our tree is full of memories. Sam wanted to start a tradition by exchanging ornaments each year, but I thought it was silly. I felt really bad when he presented me with an ornament of a child on a sled for our first Christmas, and I didn’t have one for him. I bought him one later, but I think about that every year as I hang each ornament and our story unfolds on the tree.

The ornaments on our tree mark memorable occasions in our lives. There are some “Baby’s First Christmas” ornaments that record when each of our four children were born. There is a “New House” ornament for the year we built a house in the country, and the new millennium is recognized on our tree with a time capsule (which never got filled because that was the same year that child number 4 was born, and we were pretty busy). The wooden candles remind me of the time Sam and I were served a volunteer appreciation dinner and given the wooden candles as a thank you. There are ornaments from my former Sunday School students, my friends and a secret pal from the ladies’ group I used to attend. Several of the ornaments were sent to us as a thank you for volunteering with Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse.

The ornaments on the tree remind me of people who have made an impact in my life. Some of the scratched up, glass ball ornaments belonged to my maternal grandmother who let me help her put the tree up. She used tinsel icicles on her tree, and sometimes we would scoot our feet across the carpet while holding an icicle so that the static electricity would shock my little sister. Some of the ornaments belong to my paternal grandmother who had a just simple table top tree but who made me feel so loved and special when I visited. There is a hand painted ornament that a family friend, Betty made for me when I was a child and a wooden nativity ornament that another friend brought to me after her trip to the Holy Land. The ball ornaments with the glittery gold stars and nativities are from a woman who took me under her wing and mentored me without me even realizing what she was doing. She was a true prayer warrior and sweet as could be. Our tree even displays a sock left behind by one of our son’s friends who we love like family.

Some of the most precious ornaments on our tree are the ones that my children made. Some of them are made with their handprints. Some of them have their photos and some have precious notes.

Every single ornament on our tree has a special meaning, and Christmas time is a good time to remember the special events and the people who have touched our lives. For it is through the special moments that we can see how God has been at work in our lives and through the people who are dear to us that we can experience God’s love for us.

So for at least another year, our tree stands tall in the corner. For at least another year I look at the ornaments and remember the people who helped God shape me. For at least another year, I see the bright lights in the darkness reminding me of Jesus, the Light of the World who came to take away my sin and give me peace with God.

Advent Day 11–A Gift for Everyone

Posted on by Paula

Everyone loves gifts, and Christmas is a really big time for gift-giving. I enjoy giving things that I know the recipient will love, but the recipient doesn’t always appreciate the gift I have chosen as much as I had hoped. Sometimes, I am disappointed to learn that they already have the gift I chose. Sometimes, I just get it wrong and find I really didn’t know their wishes as much as I thought.

Have you ever gotten rid of an unwanted gift?  Have you ever declined from accepting someone’s gift to you? Maybe you felt you didn’t deserve the gift or maybe you felt bad because you didn’t get anything for them in return.

God is a great gift-giver, and none of us could ever out-gift God no matter how hard we try. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” That’s what Jesus did for us.

Jesus’ birth is the whole reason for celebrating Christmas, but the story doesn’t end there. You see, God created us in his own image, and our purpose is found in him. Because God is holy and pure, our sin separates us from him. The punishment for sin is death, eternal separation from God. This is not what God wants. 2 Peter 3:9 makes it clear that God doesn’t want anyone to perish but all to come to repentance. He gave us a way to make things right with him. Jesus (pure and holy, God in the flesh) took our punishment for us by dying on the cross. All we have to do is realize our need for God, recognize our need to get rid of our sin and accept his gift. By accepting this gift, we commit to following His ways.

There is no one excluded from his gift. However, not everyone will choose to accept it. Some don’t think they need it, some don’t think they deserve it and some just don’t know that the gift is available to them. Although none of us do deserve this gift, absolutely everyone needs this it, because we have all sinned (Romans 3:23). And even though none of us deserve this gift, God wants each of us to have it no matter how horrible of an act we have committed (Remember 2 Peter 3:9).

There is nothing that God won’t forgive except for continued unbelief; there is no pardon for the one who dies in his rejection to Christ (Matthew 12:31). Our soul can never be at peace until we make things right with God. If you desire this gift but don’t know how to accept it, let me know. I want you to experience the indescribable strength, love, joy, peace and hope that is found in Jesus.