Monthly Archives

November 2022

Nov 30
40

Day 5 – December 1

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Day 5 – December 1

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21 ESV

Joseph found himself in quite a bind!  He and his betrothed bride were in their customary waiting period before marriage when Mary was discovered to be pregnant.  Joseph knew that he wasn’t the father of this child and the temptation would have been to expose her condition to the community and clear his name.  Being a “just man”, he instead decides to separate from Mary quietly, keeping her from public shame.  In his mind, this was the best, most compassionate solution to Joseph’s problem.

However, it turned out that Joseph’s “problem” was actually God’s plan.  Joseph wasn’t facing this challenge alone.  God understood his situation and the underlying fear and hurt that he was feeling.  God saw Joseph.  In addition to this encouragement, God further reveals that he is entrusting Joseph with a big responsibility:  to be a father to this special child.  To name him and protect him.  Turns out this isn’t a “problem” for Joseph, it’s an honor and a blessing.

What a difference a little perspective can make in how we view the challenges we face in this life.  What if those things which seem like “problems” and out of our control are actually “opportunities” and part of God’s plan?

Father, it is such an encouragement to me to know that you are fully in control.  So often in this life, I find myself facing challenges that I didn’t ask for.  Under my own strength, it’s easy to look for ways to ignore them or to give up.  Oh, that I may trust in You more during periods of uncertainty!  I can trust in Your plans without knowing all of their details.  Amen.

Written by: Pastor Jason Mecum

 

 

 

 

 

Nov 30
32

Day 4 – November 30

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Day 4 – November 30

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.”  [Luke 1:30-32 NLT]

Apart from the obvious fear that Mary must have felt from her unexpected visitor, how amazing it must have been for her to hear those words from the angel…”you have found favor with God!”  Wow!  I think it is every child’s desire, whether young or old, to hear their parent’s  affirmations like “Good job!” or “Way to Go!”  And to be honest when my days on earth are done, just the thought of hearing Jesus say to me “Well done, good and faithful servant” reduces me to tears!  God could have chosen any way He wanted to deliver His Son to earth, yet He chose His humble servant, Mary, who was human and, therefore, not perfect.  Yet God knew her heart, saw her faithfulness in the day-to-day things, and knew that with the high honor of being the mother of Jesus would also come great pain.  She would later witness her Son’s rejection, torture, and death on a cross.  Yet He chose her to deliver His hope to this lost and dying world, Jesus!  God knew Mary was not only courageous, but fully devoted to Him.  This was clearly demonstrated in Mary’s humble response to God’s calling in the verses that followed this passage which was so beautiful:  “I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled.”  

Heavenly Father, I am thankful for examples in the Bible like Mary who demonstrate great faith, trust, and obedience as they answer Your calling for their life.  I am encouraged to know that You choose ordinary, imperfect people to do Your extraordinary will.  Help me to remain faithful in my pursuit of a deeper relationship with You and make me more attuned to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit so that I may promptly and confidently submit to Your will.  This Christmas season, please help me to not be so distracted by the “shiny trappings” of this world that I miss Your plan or purpose for this humble servant.  I pray for opportunities as well as the courage to share the TRUE HOPE and the reason to celebrate this season…the birth of our Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.   Amen.

Written by:  Pam Bos

 

 

 

 

Nov 29
21

Day 3 – November 29

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Day 3 – November 29

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 ESV

What? A child born to a virgin?  God with us?  You simply cannot make this up.  The plot of God’s providence is so incredible, so beautiful, and so perfect.  And the bonus?    The Israelites had only the rescue from Egypt and the Red Sea crossing as evidence.  We have over 300 prophecies fulfilled, and the entire life and ministry of Jesus as evidence.

His second coming is imminent.  You can count on it.  Make room. 

Father, we are face down in awe of Your providence and plan of redemption. We thank You for sending us Your only begotten Son. He was without sin, and yet went to the cross so that we would be counted as righteous in Your presence. This is love.  As we prepare to celebrate His birth in a Bethlehem stable,  we give You all the honor and the glory.  Even so, come Lord Jesus.  Amen.

Written by: Ken Philip

 

 

 

Nov 28
13

Day 2 – November 28

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Day 2 – November 28 

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 ESV

Have you ever been to a waterpark and had a chance to ride, or seen someone who has gotten on, one of those water slides with the vanishing floor platform? I have ridden that slide. It is pretty intense as you stand there waiting on the floor of the slide pod to be removed from under your feet at any moment. It is both exciting and terrifying, all at the same time. 

Today’s verse reminds us that the Lord says , “…shall not be removed…” This verse gives us HOPE for today, tomorrow and beyond. That the steadfast love and peace shall be a firm foundation for us to stand upon. The Lord is our foundation of HOPE.

Father, thank you for giving me hope for everyday.  I am in need of a firm foundation to stand on today. I thank you Jesus for giving steadfast love and a covenant of peace shall not be removed.  Amen.

Written by: Pastor Lance Courtney

 

 

Nov 22
36

Day 1 – November 27

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Day 1 – November 27 

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called  Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6  NKJV

Perhaps the most well known of the Old Testament Messianic prophecies, here is the promise of the first coming of Jesus Christ given 700 years before His actual birth.   We wait now for Christ’s imminent return. For His second coming.  While we wait in certain hope, God the Father invites us to His Son’s birthday party. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birthday, let us make room for Him in our hearts.  It is the only sensible answer to God’s invitation.

Father, we thank You for sending Your son to save us from ourselves.  We accept this Christmas gift in humility.  And we make room for You in our hearts.  Come on in.  We pray this in the name of the Wonderful Counselor, Your Son Jesus the Christ.  Amen.

Written by: Ken Philip