The Lord’s My Shepherd
The Psalm continues, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Here Jesus gives His Promise again to be with you and me. The rod and the staff would be used to fight off a snake or serpent protecting the flock. Sheep wander as they have been known to do, but not every time, we will be protected from the threat of a serpent. The slither of a snake would be enough to scare a sheep into wild directions, but the ones who hear the Shepherd’s call will be called back into the flock. This is our comfort in times of peace and in times of stress.
Prayer: Lord God, Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of the Psalms, to teach and guide us on our journey. Thank you for being our Good Shepherd through times when even we struggle to see you. By Your Love, You bring us back to the fold, You tend to our prayers, You call us by name, and You give us Your Word. Give us patience as we walk through the shadow of death, i.e. this world, until we rejoice in the House of the Lord forever. Strengthen and preserve us until the incomparable and unimaginable dawn of glory breaks upon us. Help of the Helpless, Lord abide with us. In Jesus Christ, in Whom we rest, Amen.
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The Advent Wreath
It’s almost here. Only a few days to go. The excitement is building.
Yes, Christmas is right around the corner. Hopefully, all of your shopping and decorating is complete and you can enjoy the days ahead as a time to experience what Advent is meant to be, a time of reflection and preparation for Christ’s coming, past, present, and future.
During this season, you will find an Advent wreath in many Christian churches. The wreath, with its four candles around the ring, has come to serve as a reminder of some of God’s gifts to us. The candles traditionally represent hope, love, joy, and peace (though the order varies among churches).
While we might each have our favorite of these four candles, mine has always been love. While the bible is filled with expressions of God’s love, perhaps no single writer captures it better than the apostle John. Sometimes called the “Apostle of Love” because of his attention to God’s love in Christ, John brings the Gospel to life through his inspired writing.
John points us to an important truth today as we consider the words from 1 John 4:9-10, especially “not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son.” In these few short words, John reminds us that the source of love is God. Any relationship that we have with God does not start with us but rather began long ago with God. He is love itself and demonstrates love in the most tangible way possible through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
As the recipients of God’s love in Christ, we are freed from the burden of sin and the fear of the future. The Father has wrapped us in His love that we can now express to others. So now today, let us pause to first give thanks to Him for sending His Son and loving us enough to call us as His own. His love gives us the true reason to celebrate this Advent season.
God of love, You did not spare Your own Son but sent Him into this world to save us. Grant us today faith-filled hearts that more fully experience Your love and can then express it to others. Prepare us this day for the return of Christ our Lord in whose name we pray. Amen.
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O Come, O Come Emmanuel
In that little town of Bethlehem nearly 2,000 years ago, there was an event that changed history known as the Christmas story. “O come, O come, Emmanuel” highlights the significance of a Savior born for us. The first line says, “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lowly exile here Until the Son of God appears.” The author shows urgency in his prayer with the words, Come, Come, and the word Emmanuel means God with us. Emmanuel refers to the Lord of Life who is so humble and so gracious to enter our corrupted and selfish world and be born in a 300 person town. The hymn continues, “and ransom captive Israel who mourns in lowly exile here.” This imagery refers to the Israelites of the O.T. and the current Israelites, you and I. To ransom essentially means to redeem by a payment.
It might be a little alarming to be told that we are held captive to something, but this is what Jesus Himself says in John 8:34, “Truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” We all are in slavery to sin, and we can only be released by a perfect payment. John 8 continues with, “the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” We, the slaves, in order to be set free need the door to be opened and a plan to sustain life. These are found in our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His payment upon a wooden cross. For releasing us who deserved condemnation for sins, the Son of God had to be punished by the Father. The hymn tells us that we must be ransomed from our slavery, and only by the Son of God appearing in human form we are able to be ransomed. Therefore, “rejoice! Rejoice, [the] Emmanuel shall come to thee, Israel.”
Additionally, the third stanza reads, “O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s tree Free them from Satan’s tyranny that trust they mighty power to save, and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.” The tree of Jesse, David’s father, refers to the old Jewish lineage of kings. Yet, from David’s bloodline, Jesus was born, and through Him is the new branch (or vine) of Life. Jesse was the father of King David of Israel, and so, the is called Jesse’s because the father ought to have responsibility for his children. By the branch of wood which Jesus had to carry to His death, we find freedom from Satan’s tyranny and forgiveness and life. Through His Resurrection, we receive victory over the grave.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for loving our sin-filled humanity more than your glorious Heaven. Thank you for being born for us, for redeeming us, and for rising triumph over the grave for us. We thank and appreciate your gift of hymns and their special teaching power based on Your Holy Word. We pray you would bless our Christmas this year and protect us wherever we travel. Please be with us and strengthen, support, motivate, and propel us. Lastly, we ask we would remember to bear our neighbor’s burdens as our burdens, just as You assumed humanity for us. In Your Precious and Holy Name we pray, Amen.
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Hope
11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
“Hope” is an interesting word. It has changed meaning over the centuries. Today “hope” seems to be a longing for something that has a very low chance of happening. The young child who lives on the fourth floor of a city apartment building “hopes” she’ll receive a pony for Christmas. It just isn’t going to happen.
The Biblical understanding is just the opposite. “Hope” for Christians is a sure and certain conviction that what the Lord promises will be fulfilled and what the Lord does is for our best interest. The hymn writer put it this way:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
No merit of my own I claim
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
In this season of Advent we proclaim our conviction that the Lord Jesus did all things to secure our salvation. We need not worry whether we are good enough to merit God’s favor. We don’t have to determine whether we have done enough to deserve heaven. Jesus did it all! Jesus lived the life that was expected of us. Jesus died to forgive our sin. Jesus rose from the grave, promising eternal life to everyone who believes in Him.
“HOPE!” It is the absolute belief that the Lord is for us and with us. It is resting secure that when our journey in this world is complete, Jesus will welcome us into heaven, because He saved us.
I “hope” you have a great day! I know you will, as you live it with faith in Jesus and love for others.
Lord Jesus, there is no doubt in my heart or mind that Your work has given me forgiveness of sins, new life today and life eternal to come. Thank You for this faith that gives me real hope. In Your name I pray. Amen.
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Hope in Christ the King
Prayer: Lord God, Heavenly Father, as we battle with the uncertainties and troubles of this world throughout our life, guide us to remember the hope which we are reminded of during this season of Advent. Let us be comforted in remembering the Word which you gave us. And remember that one day we will be reunited with You. In Your Precious and Holy Name, Amen.
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