living for eternity today

Category: Advent (Page 3 of 4)

Rock

And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4

The people of Israel complained a lot, and when I say a lot, I mean A LOT. You can read the backstory of today’s passage from 1st Corinthians in Exodus 17:1-7. The beautiful part, though, is that God answers even complaints. That is part of Jesus Christ’s title, “The Rock.” He doesn’t change, whether we’re full of praise or full of grouching. He is solid, faithful, always giving free, Living Water to thirsty souls in need of love, compassion, and grace.

Devotion contributed by Heidi Goehman and Sarah Baughman.

Peace

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one
and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.
Ephesians 2:14

While this season of Advent and Christmas can seem to bring out the best in people, we know that what truly brings people together is the Peace sent from God. Not only has He paid the price for our sins, thereby allowing us to be reconciled to God, but He who is called Peace truly takes away the divisions among us. We are one body, and He is our Head. We are His people, together, and we worship Him…together!

You are our Peace; draw us ever nearer to You, and to one another, that we may live closer to harmony together in You, serving and worshipping You always. Amen.

Devotions by Heidi Goehman and Sarah Baughman

Hope

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God
our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.
1 Timothy 1:1

In this world, hope appears to have one major problem…the expectations attached to it. So often in this life, our expectations are met with devastation, disappointment, or disillusionment. We tend to apply the same level of confidence we would with people, in our relationship with God. We ask, seek, and expect so little from Him, for fear that our expectation will be met with disappointment. But Christ Jesus gives more. He, Himself, is our Hope, our confidence. He was prophesied from the beginning. He came as a baby boy. He died and rose to save you. What He says, He does, and what He does, He says in His Word. At the very sound of His name, we are filled with Hope.

Devotions by Heidi Goehman and Sarah Baughman

Founder & Perfecter of Faith

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

When the world came into being, Jesus was there. Even before darkness became light, God had a plan. When evil entered and sin took its first bite in our world, Jesus still reigned. God in Trinity founded the foundations of the world, but also founded the faith in your soul. The words author and perfecter go hand-in-hand. An author completes something – a poem, a novel, an essay, a book – whatever it is, it’s a finished work, completed. Jesus completes the plan the Trinity had long before the beginning of this world. And He is writing your story, completing you this day, for eternity.

Devotions by Heidi Goehman and Sarah Baughman

Light of the World

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12

It seems that in recent years, the tradition of putting candles in a house windows at Christmastime has fallen by the wayside. Years ago, this practice had a practical, as well as beautiful purpose. Before electricity and flashlights, and cellphones with flashlights, people would put candles in their windows to guide weary travelers to a place of warmth and comfort. During Advent, this is an especially appropriate tradition, as it reminds us of the true Light of the world. The Light that welcomes and guides, the Light that breaks the darkness of death and scatters the shadows of sin. In the same tradition of welcoming weary travelers, invite someone over for coffee or a treat, and a chance to rest in Christ together. Come, O Light, and shine Your love into our hearts.

Devotions by Heidi Goehman and Sarah Baughman

Good Shepherd

[Jesus said,] “I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:11

So much is wrapped up in this Name for our Lord – Good Shepherd – from Isaiah’s lament that all we like sheep have gone astray, to David’s likening God to a Shepherd guiding him, to Jesus’ definitive statement, “I am the Good Shepherd.” Yet in a manger, witnessed by shepherds, we see the One whose life personifies what makes a shepherd a Good One: constant care, vigilance, seeking strays, and ultimately the sacrifice of Himself for the sheep, who love to wander. May He always lead us in His ways of life and love.

Devotions by Heidi Goehman and Sarah Baughman

Deliverer

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead,
Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 1:10

What an incredible start to our Advent devotions – Our Lord, our Deliverer! The Thessalonians knew firsthand what it is to be delivered from seeking after empty things. Don’t we know it, too? The stresses of the Christmas season build, the pressures of the “get it all done and get it done well” oppress, and the worries of life don’t fade entirely just because we’re in the middle of a time made for cheer and goodwill, according to card companies. This Advent Season, let us find rest in our Deliverer, and allow His good gifts to bring peace and joy to our souls.

Immanuel

Well tomorrow is Christmas. Tomorrow we celebrate the birth of a child whose name was to be called Immanuel. But what does that name mean for you and me today? Many of us know the name Immanuel means God with us. But it goes deeper than that. Each letter in his name can remind us of exactly how God is with us.

Identity -When we hear that God is with us we are reminded of our new identity. We aren’t the same person we once were. We are different. We may look the same but we really aren’t. Because of the birth of this baby we call Jesus we’ll never be the same again.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:12-13

Me – When Jesus came on that first Christmas he made it personal. It was for you he came to live and ultimately die. It was for you personally that he did everything he did. It was so that you would know of your salvation.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2

Mankind – But not just for you…for all of humanity as well. His death was good for all sin. His resurrection was good enough to open eternity for all people who believe. He came that all might have life and have it to the full.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4

Atonement – The process of paying a sacrifice owed was called atoning. When Jesus came as God’s own presence on this earth, he did it to atone or pay for you and me and all mankind.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.  Romans 3:23-25

New Life – His birth means that our baptism has new meaning. His birth means that our life has new significance. By taking on human form he did what no other object of any religion across time has ever done. He came to us instead of making us go to him.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Under the Cross – His whole purpose in coming was to die that we might live. There was no plan B ever conceived. This was the only way to make us right. Which makes him the only way to the Father.

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14

Eternity – Eternity is a difficult thing to grasp. It’s hard for us to see exactly what this means. It’s longer than that really long day at work. It’s forever but that doesn’t really help. His coming means we will have a time when time no longer exists. We’ll live in a place and time where time and space no longer matter.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14-15

Love – Probably one of the most over used yet misunderstood words in the American language – love. It’s a word we throw around too loosely. But real love is something few of us really experience until we understand God’s amazing grace. And when we experience it, it completely changes the way we see life. When Jesus was born he opened my eyes to be able to love differently because he loved me when I was un-lovable. Now you too are made lovable, not by what you’ve done but by who He is – God with us – Immanuel.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8

May your celebration of Christmas be one that is all about Immanuel – God Is With Us. 

Christmas Complainers

I do a lot of listening. Perhaps more than most people realize. Most people see me talking but you’d be surprised the things I can hear. One of the comments that echoes around this time of year is a complaint of sorts. Often in Christian circles people will complain about the greetings of the season. Should people say Merry Christmas? Or is it more appropriate to say Happy Holidays? Continue reading

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