Faith is not in what Jesus says but in Himself; if we only look at what He says we shall never believe.
From Luke 18:41-43: “‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.”
Faith
Grace refilling
Every precious day
Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Eyewitnesses
Walking
Never alone
Holy Spirit’s voice
Yielding to His guidance
Transformation
Darkness
Hiding sin
Divine light’s guidance
Grace nurtures Christ’s forgiveness
Believe
From Psalm 31:9-10: “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.”
Feeling earth’s numbing cold
Facing each new trial
Life’s winter darkness stirs
Filling another mile
Witnessing grief and loss
Traversing heavy snow
Life’s winter darkness stands
Causing impulse to slow
Prowling disease and strife
Reading storm’s latest news
Life’s winter darkness shouts
Raging snow sings the blues
Plodding in Arctic’s chill
Crushing social unrest
Life’s winter darkness tests
Failing every quest
Viewing world’s upheaval
Blinding blizzard’s whiteout
Life’s winter darkness runs
Bulldozing faith with doubt
Guiding light now arrives
Accepting Father’s grace
Life’s winter darkness fades
Walking in Spirit’s place
From James 4:5-6: “Or do you suppose that it is for nothing that the scripture says, ‘God yearns jealously for the spirit that He has made to dwell in us’? But He gives all the more grace; therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'”
A young, married couple plans to fill their Christian home with children. Facing fertility issues, the husband and wife seek advice from doctors.
After months of trying the medical route and completing test after test, they retreat from doctors. As they decide to focus on their continuing journey of prayer, their dream of having a baby is left in God’s hands.
A few more months run their course, and the couple is still waiting. In God’s plan, an answer will eventually come, but it will be by His design and used for His glory.
Witnessing God’s lasting hope, peace, joy, and love, this Christian husband and wife discover their wish will be granted. A baby will be born just after the New Year begins. They are excited, but they take time to praise and show gratitude to their Heavenly Father.
Eventually, the baby boy arrives, but he has decided to enter the world too soon. Born prematurely and much smaller than expected, the boy’s status concerns his parents. Their “miracle” child is born, and the medical staff sees that he is well-taken care of.
Over the coming weeks and months, the couple care and love their little “Bubba” as they like to call him. He may be undersized, but he is healthy and growing. They feel so blessed and thankful.
For many couples, this scenario plays out around the world. With God’s guidance and modern medical care, more and more families are experiencing the joy of children in their lives.
Other families turn to adoption or foster care of children. When choosing what path to take, bringing God into the equation helps to guide each decision.
In contrast, the world has its own “miracle” child . . . a babe born in a Bethlehem stable over 2,000 years ago. God comes to earth as the incarnate Emmanuel. His light continues to guide lives each and every day.
Only by walking with God can we hope to find the path that leads to life.
From Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
From Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Praising his earthly work ethic
Man seeking Father’s lasting grace
Totally missing Gospel’s heart
By faith alone, shall love embrace
Preparing for Heaven’s homeland
Mercy of Christ walking ahead
Righteousness, marking worldly path
By faith alone, waits daily bread
Tasting God’s eternal goodness
Earthly trials, evil’s dark hand
Lord’s strength overcomes man’s weakness
By faith alone, His grace commands
Seeking blessings for things hoped for
Filled with promises, where love dwells
Thirsty for Christ’s living water
By faith alone, salvation swells
From Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
The greatest faith is born in the hour of despair.
From Ephesians 6:16: “With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “Obeying God’s will in our lives should not be a burden but a thrilling adventure that we walk through with Him each day.”
Believer’s obedience
Thrilling adventure
Filled with Father’s blessed grace
Divine, joint venture
Trusting with patience of Job
Faith’s foundation grows
Living upon Father’s rock
His way always knows
One step follows another
Smallest matters count
Daily walk of faith matures
Father’s blessings mount
Escaping from sin’s darkness
Mercy marks life’s route
Repenting for transgressions
Father’s grace takes sprout
Obedience grows with love
Leading back to God
Life’s choices, Father rewards
His glory’s tripod
From Psalm 40:6-8: “Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, ‘Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.'”
Walking through life’s fire
Never to blindly stumble—
God always walks close
Darkness testing faith
Patiently trusting Father—
Accepting His plan
Holy Spirit seeks
Guiding tongues in bringing forth—
Pure and blessed speech
From Zephaniah 3:14-15: “Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, He has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.”
Looking inward, changing selves
Repenting, reversing course
Searching for life’s cherished peace
Joy spreads from Bethlehem’s source
Reading, praying, reflecting
Preparing our minds and hearts
Beaming starlight in dark times
Joy brightens, world seeks restart
Rejoicing always, Lord is near
Restoring fortunes, Prince of Peace
Renewing tomorrow’s hope
Joy transcends Father’s new lease
Trusting in God’s promises
Waiting with welcoming grace
Singing praises, justice calls
Joy blossoms in this birthplace
Proclaiming mercy-filled peace
Glowing, rising midnight sun
Igniting life’s dormant faith
Joy worships birth of God’s Son
You are invited to join in prayer: Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace. During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior. Amen.
“Joy to the World” is frequently sung during the Advent and Christmas season. Written in 1719 by English minister and hymnwriter, Isaac Watts, this hymn has been a favorite for well over 100 years in North America.
Big Sky Buckeye 