Category Archives: Advent Musings

December 21, 2020 · 7:00 am

Heaven’s Authority

Week 4   Monday   December 21

When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By Templet for daily reading Week 4what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

~~~Matthew 21:23-27

Question: How do we recognize the authority of heaven?

Prayer Thought

Lord, Give me the spiritual insight to recognize your authority in my everyday life and live with the confidence that you are by my side.

Amen

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December 18, 2020 · 7:00 am

Understanding His Origin

Friday Week 3  December 18

For to which of the angels did God ever say,

‘You are my Son;

   today I have begotten you’?

Or again,

‘I will be his Father,

   and he will be my Son’?

6And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,

‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’

7Of the angels he says,

‘He makes his angels winds,

   and his servants flames of fire.’

8But of the Son he says,

‘Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever,

   and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom.

~~~Hebrews 1:5-8

Question: Who is Jesus and where did he come from?

Prayer Thought

Lord, There are many explanations of your origin. Today I proclaim that you are God with us -Emmanuel You came from heaven into the world and made it a different place. You are the savior of the world.

Amen

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December 17, 2020 · 6:46 pm

The Final Word

Week 3  Thursday  December 17

1Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs

~~~Hebrews 1:1-4

Question:  Are you hearing the final and complete word of Christmas?

Prayer Thought

Lord, Today I want to commit to live for you. I know that you have spoken to the world in many ways, but now you have come. May I recognize you in the person and work of Jesus.

Amen

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December 16, 2020 · 7:00 am

The Security of God’s People

Wednesday Week 3   December 16

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,

  which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

  so the LORD surrounds his people,

  from this time on and for evermore.

For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest

  on the land allotted to the righteous,

so that the righteous may not stretch out

  their hands to do wrong.

Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,

  and to those who are upright in their hearts.

But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways

  the LORD will lead away with evildoers.

~~~Psalm 125

Question: Do you enjoy the security of being a follower of God?

Prayer Thought

Lord, Allow me to experience the joy of security that comes with my faith in you. Many times you have promised that you are with me always. Help me not to forget that today.

Amen

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December 15, 2020 · 7:00 am

Recognize the Truth

Tuesday  Week 3  December 15

Moses said, “The Lord your God will raise up for you from Week 3 Web postyour own people a prophet like me. You must listen to whatever he tells you. And it will be that everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be utterly rooted out from the people.” And all the prophets, as many as have spoken, from Samuel and those after him, also predicted these days. You are the descendants of the prophets and of the covenant that God gave to your ancestors, saying to Abraham, “And in your descendants all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

~~~Acts 3:22-25

Question- Do you recognize the truths that God sends your way?

Prayer Thought

Lord, Often the source of truth has been elusive. Throughout history you have sent prophets and spirit filled people to speak forth the truth. Alas, you have now sent your Holy Spirit to dwell in us and to speak truth to us. Let us be mindful of your presence with us.

Amen

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December 14, 2020 · 7:00 am

Our Struggles

Monday Week December 14

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the Week 3 Web poststrength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

~~~Ephesians 6:10-12

 

Question-Do you see your struggles as worldly or spiritual?

Prayer Thought

Lord, We all face struggles in life. These hard times are made so much worse because we fail to see the ultimate cause. Our existence in this life is one that is outside of this world. Help me to recognize this struggle and arm myself with your spirit and strength.

Amen

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December 11, 2020 · 7:00 am

Pressing Toward the Goal

Friday Week 2   December 11

Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached Week 2 Logothe goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.

~~~Philippians 3:12-16

Question- How can I press on toward the goal that God has given me today?

Prayer Thought

Lord, Help me to refine the zeal and dedication you have instilled in me so as to move toward the goal you have given me through the coming of Jesus. It is my greatest desire to fully understand his mission for me and the world. I want to press on toward this heavenly call with all my strength.

Amen

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December 10, 2020 · 7:00 am

Seeing God’s Vision

Thursday     Week 2    December 10

Week 2 LogoI will stand at my watch-post,

   and station myself on the rampart;

I will keep watch to see what he will say to me,

   and what he will answer concerning my complaint.

Then the Lord answered me and said:

Write the vision;

   make it plain on tablets,

   so that a runner may read it.

~~~Habakkuk 2:1-2

Question- How will I discern the vision of God for my life?

Prayer Thought

Lord, Today I want to see the person that you created in your image. Allow me to pull off the pretense and discover my true self, because I have wasted too much time with my false self.

Amen

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December 9, 2020 · 7:00 am

The Common Father

Wednesday  Week 2     December 9

Week 2 LogoHave we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors? Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. May the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob anyone who does this—any to witness or answer, or to bring an offering to the Lord of hosts

~~~Malachi 2:10-12

Question- Have you ever searched for the common father of creation?

Prayer Thought

Lord, As I live may I come to know that I am connected to all of your creation. You created us all from one. It is out of your love and grace that we exist. May we never take that for granted.

Amen

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December 8, 2020 · 7:00 am

The Branch of the Lord

Tuesday Week 2       December 8

On that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and Week 2 Logoglorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel. Whoever is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded ventfor life in Jerusalem. Then the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over its places of assembly a cloud by day and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night. Indeed, over all the glory there will be a canopy. It will serve as a pavilion, a shade by day from the heat, and a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain

~~~Isaiah 4:2-3,5-6

Question- Do you acknowledge the branch of the Lord(Jesus the Christ) in your life?

Prayer Thought

Lord, I ask this day that I find the wisdom to accept the branch of the Lord in my life. Allow me to learn of Him and from Him all the days of my life. Let me take the time to learn as well from the branches of my family as I venture forward in this journey of life.

Amen

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