Advent Devotionals – 12.13.2021 to 12.19.2021
December 13th
Margaret Jones
Jeremiah 29:11 “for I know the plans I have for you” declares the LORD “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
After 28 years of marriage, I made an agonizing decision to get a divorce. I had not worked full-time since I married, and struggled with how I would support myself. Looking back, my prospects seemed scary. Luckily, I had the support of a wonderful church family and a strong Bible Study group, which provided me with the Word of God. A strong faith community can provide us with people who can ease our burdens, share our joys, and can help us reach our highest potential.
Dear God, help us to feel your presence with us in difficult times. Guide us as we seek to nurture and maintain hope in you. Amen
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December 14th
Sherrill Carter
How Jesus Makes a Difference in My Life
Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 “But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Matthew 15:16 “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”
My Lord and Savior is EVERYTHING to me! I can’t imagine what my life might be like without Him in my life. I am grateful for the support, guidance, and teachings from my parents, pastors, Sunday school teachers, Bible school, and church camp that led me to accept Jesus into my heart at an early age. God has blessed me with a wonderful family.
Through illness, career changes, and difficult times in my life, God heard my prayers, and my faith and trust in Him grew stronger. I have faith in knowing that the Lord is with me through any storm I face, and promises to never leave me or forsake me. God has provided strength in my weakness, and I have felt God’s love surrounding me, giving me peace and comfort. God’s power is displayed in my times of weakness.
With the many ways to circulate messages today, it becomes more difficult to determine what is false and true in this world. I am thankful for the Bible as an essential resource in seeking truth found in scripture and the Holy Spirit that guides me in helping discern right from wrong. In this dark and troubled world, God has called us to be the light that shines to others. My hope is that others will see the light of Jesus in me in acts of kindness, love, and compassion.
Thank you Jesus for your love, faithfulness, and gift of grace. I pray that your light will shine through me to those who are hurting and lost. Help me to fulfill your purpose and will for my life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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December 15th
Ben Lovell
Matthew 1:1-16 – 1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, 7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, 8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, 9 Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
12 After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud, 15 Elihud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.
Yep. That’s a long list of names. If I’m being honest it’s one of those passages that I’ve skimmed over or skipped on more than one occasion to get to the stories of miracles and parables and death and life. That was, of course, until a few years ago when I was doing the paperwork for my ordination.
I was required to write a study and had chosen to write on Ruth. Hers wasn’t a story I had spent all that much time on in the past, and being the father of a daughter, I had felt challenged to elevate strong and courageous women in the Bible. It just so happened that, at about the same time, this passage came up in my daily Bible reading. As I was starting to skim, though, a name jumped out at me, Ruth. As I started to look more closely, I saw other names I recognized.
I was struck by the realization that each of these people, these people who I had skipped over in my reading of Matthew so many times, had been part of a story they didn’t fully see from where they were. Some knew more than others. I’m looking at you, Mary. But how many really knew the lineage of which they were a part? How many knew the story that was being written, in part, through their lives as they went about their days, just living their lives as best as they could?
But that’s how the story of God is unfolding in history even now, isn’t it? It’s being told and retold in the lives of women and men, girls and boys, who are moving toward redemption and living out their faith. It’s being told in people speaking truth in love and learning more of what those things mean in the inspiration and empowering of the Holy Spirit. It’s the glory of God in the day to day where, though we may not be able to see the full lineage of which we are a part, we get glimpses as we live out our chapter in the story being written by the Creator of the Universe.
So don’t for a minute skim over your part, or the parts of others, in the story of redemption God is working out even now in Christ. Let us live in to the story in every way we can, rejoicing that, while we may be but a single name, a single life, a single chapter in an eternal story, we are part of a truly remarkable lineage in the family of God.
Father, help us to look for you moving even now, in the day to day, in your creation, in those around us, and in our very selves. Help us to live in to your story and celebrate your continued work that sees women and men, girls and boys, invited into the eternal work of the Living God, rejoicing in the redemption offered in Jesus, the Christ, and being led by the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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December 16th
Jerry Peters
What Jesus has done in my life!
James 5:14-16 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayers offered in faith will make the sick person well. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
In May 2020, I heard those words we all dread. I had throat cancer and it was in a lymph node too. They wanted to start chemo and radiation together immediately. I went to the Lord for his strength and healing!! And we called on our family, Small Group and prayer warriors to join us.
After seeing so many answered prayers within our Small Group, I was touched when they asked to meet and pray over me. This was during the height of Covid. The setting was a warehouse, a circle of lawn chairs, and a simple altar one of the ladies had set up. It was Holy Ground! Pastor Doug and Jody met with our Small Group, we all prayed and he anointed me with oil and prayed for my healing…calling on the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I could feel their prayers and it brought peace as I started the treatments the next day. I praised the Lord for answering their petitions, as my last two scans show no trace of cancer.
Father God, I praise you and thank you for my healing. To think you would have mercy on the sinner that I am is mind blowing. I ask that you send the Holy Spirit to family members that do not know you and show them your power and glory. They are missing out on so much JOY and PEACE. Ruth and I pray for them daily. I also thank you for sending Ruth in my life. She is such a devoted Christian, loves our Lord Jesus and wants this for all our family. I praise you and thank you in the name of our Lord Jesus. Amen and AMEN
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December 17th
Melody Pfeffer
Philippians 3:14 – I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
I reluctantly started running when I was 18 years old. My college roommate and best friend “forced” me to run 2 miles with her every morning at 6am, because she didn’t want to run alone.
At the time, I resented having to get up early and lose sleep to go run with her. But it started my lifelong love of running. I’ve since participated in several half-marathons and competed in numerous races.
If anyone knows me, they know I am very competitive. So, when I train and compete in races, my goal is to win a medal or trophy. But as a believer, there is a more important trophy to win. Paul explains that to us very well in Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” This was the verse that got me through some of the hardest parts of a race.
While competing, I’ve encountered many obstacles (like blisters, side cramps, mental blocks, or sheer exhaustion) that have kept me from wanting to continue. Some of the hardest parts of a marathon is the last few miIes. But, when this happens, I always focus on God to get me through to the finish line.
In our Christian life, Jesus commands us to stay focused and stay on course to remain faithful to the end to win the prize of Eternity. So, despite any trials I may have, because I have accepted Jesus as my savior, Jesus is already at the finish line waiting for me.
My passion of running has allowed me to better see my own relationship with Jesus because I’ve realized that the effort and dedication I put into running also needs to be duplicated in my commitment and pursuit of Jesus Christ.
What passion has God placed in your heart? What goal has God given you to accomplish?
Heavenly Father, thank You that we are your children. Help us to live our lives
and run the race that You have set before us. Help us to press on toward the goal of our calling in Christ Jesus, may we trust in Him to overcome every problem, disappointment and challenge we may face, for Your praise and glory, AMEN.
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December 18th
Sam Preston
Verses:
Ephesians 6:10-17
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
If you had asked me as a 5yr old “What do you want to do when you grow up?” I would have quickly said “I want to be a policeman.” Out of college I still wanted that dream, and was offered a job with a nearby agency.
For various reasons I turned that opportunity down. Right after, the above verses consumed my life. I would see them on calendars, t-shirts, billboards…everywhere. Fortunately, I was given another opportunity with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and was able to spend 27 blessed years.
As it turns out, I didn’t just want to be a policeman, I was called to be in policing. Pastors are often called to be sheperds. Myself and many others in law enforcement were called to be sheepdogs. I was blessed to serve by protecting the flock.
During my career two things always stuck with me and guided me; Ephesians 6:10-17, and a quote from a dear mentor, Bill Westfall “Do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason”.
It only takes a second to look at the news or social media (I’m not sure that there is a difference anymore) to see that we are all under attack. As warriors of Christ I hope that these verses are as symbolic to you as they have been for me.
“Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send Me!” (Isaiah 6:8)
Heavenly Father, thank you for my Blue Grass Family and all the Servant Leaders who follow You. Lord, please watch over us, and I ask you to lift up our church and make our steeple a lighthouse to the community. Let us remember this season is about You and the birth of Your Son. In the chaos of our lives, grant us moments of quiet, reflection, and conversation with You. Amen.
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December 19th
Fred Cox
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom. And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise. Luke 23:42-43
This has been my favorite set of verses for as long as I can remember. When I was teaching high school Sunday School, I would quote this to my students and, invariably, tear up. The students had heard the story so much that they would generally sigh and roll their eyes. But I think I made a point.
The story embodies how salvation and forgiveness work. The criminal was unable to do anything to save himself. No set of actions could provide him with a path to salvation except to recognize his sins, acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, and ask for consideration in a dynamic way.
This set of verses helps me understand the gift that Jesus has provided for forgiveness of sins and salvation. Nothing I can do on my own will suffice. This open door that Jesus provides, if we will accept the opportunity, is an unbelievable blessing.