God’s heart of mercy provides for us not only pardon from sin but also a daily provision of spiritual food to strengthen us.
From 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Jim Cymbala (born 1942) is an American pastor and Christian author. He firmly believes that God will share His goodness in our lives.
From Isaiah 7:13-14: “Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name Him Immanuel.'”
Seeing life’s uncertainty
Searching heavens far beyond
God’s love offers gift of peace
Sending to earth, Savior’s bond
Tracing roots of future Prince
Sensing blessed hope through time
Bethlehem stable breathes love
Transforming man’s paradigm
Bearing His Son, born this day
Filling Mary with God’s love
Angelic voices praising
Singing with joy high above
Lasting, grace-filled love shall save
Bringing wayward sheep back home
Good Shepherd walking this land
Gifting peace to always roam
Declaring new covenant
Shining with love’s promised peace
Joyous light born in manger
Blessing hope’s faithful, new lease
A contemporary Christian song, “When Love Crossed Over,” shares powerful and inspiring images during this Advent season.
If we are children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in Nature. In every wind that blows, in every night and day of the year, in every sign of the sky, in every blossoming and in every withering of the earth, there is a real coming of God to us if we will simply use our starved imagination to realize it.
From Isaiah 40:26: “Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because He is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame.
Fear God, and your enemies will fear you.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a Founding Father of the United States. He served his nation as a prominent statesman and effective diplomat.
Trust
God’s promises
His actions awaken
Life’s wilderness shall blossom
Hope
Hope
For Savior
God’s desires fulfilled
Bethlehem stable’s Holy ground
Peace
Peace
Father’s gift
Lying in manger
Emmanuel, God with us
Joy
Joy
Angels proclaim
Humble shepherds attest
Christ comes to save
Love
When it seems as if God is far away, remind yourself that He is near. Nearness is not a matter of geography. God is everywhere.
From Psalm 8:1: “O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens.”
From 2 Corinthians 5:17-18: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
God’s living grace
Bends earthly lives
Word’s special place
Righteousness thrives
Forgiveness gifts
Mercy for all
Spirit uplifts
One man named Saul
Undeserved grace
Transforming hearts
Joy shall embrace
Life’s hope restarts
Redemption shared
Walking with Christ
Because God cared
Evil’s plan iced
Grace reconciled
Sins forgiven
Darkness exiled
Gospel-driven
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “Experiencing the forgiveness God offers will transform every part of life.”
You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we think.
From James 1:5-6: “ If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) lived in France where he served as a lay brother in a monastery in Paris. He is best remembered for his intimate relationship with God.
From Isaiah 35:10: “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
Facing constant waves
Overwhelming despair
Father seeking to save
Eternal grace cares
Bethlehem manger
Looking beyond today
Savior, joy’s game changer
Mercy’s light conveys
Hope breathes, Son of Man
King of Kings, Prince of Peace
God opens His divine plan
Joy’s new centerpiece
Angels’ choir deploys
Always singing above
Reflections full of joy
Peace filling with love
Scaling highest slopes
Locating lasting peace
Rebuilding life’s new hope
Joy shall never cease
Peace restored, anew
Joy’s steady, beating drum
Tomorrow’s hope accrues
Salvation to come
With lyrics composed by renowned English hymn writer, Issac Watts, “Joy to the World” has become the most published Christmas hymn in North America. These verses were penned in 1719, and they share an interpretation from Psalm 98. In this Advent season, the hymn holds a special place with its emphasis on the joy we have been patiently waiting for.
Here is the humble confidence of faith–that what God begins shall not miscarry and those whom He leads shall not be lost.
From Mark 10:43-45: “But it is not so among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.”
John Newton (1725-1807) was an English pastor who also was a writer of several hymns, including the beloved “Amazing Grace.” His early life is filled with contrasts, when compared to his later life. He served as a ship’s captain during the slave trade, but later renounced his work after his conversion to Christianity. He became an outspoken opponent of the slave trade later in his life.
Big Sky Buckeye 