What makes humility so desirable in the marvelous thing it does to us; it creates in us a capacity for the closest possible intimacy with God.
From 1 Peter 5:5-6: “And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time.”
Monica Baldwin (1893-1975) was a British writer. Â
A state of mind that sees God in everything is evidence of growth in grace and a thankful heart.
From Jeremiah 23:23-24: “Am I a God near by, says the Lord, and not a God far off? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them? says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord.”
Charles Finney (1792-1875) was an American pastor and Christian evangelist. In the years before America’s Civil War, he was an outspoken opponent of slavery.
From Jonah 3:4-5: “Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, ‘Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’ And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.”
Called to live in tune
With our Father’s Word
Strengthened through His light
Path no longer blurred
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Shaped by His patience
Never be shaken
Righteousness stands firm
Truth shall awaken
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Set aside worries
Empowered to walk
With loving Father
Away from man’s talk
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Transformed by faith’s light
Darkness now falling
Past sins nailed to cross
Follow Lord’s calling
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Called to repentance
Step forward in Christ
Delivered through grace
His blood sacrificed
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From 1 Corinthians 7:29-31: “I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.”
God is sheer mercy and grace.
From Psalm 103:8: “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
Eugene Peterson (1932-2018) was an American pastor, theologian, and Christian author.
From Romans 3:20:Â “For no human will be justified before Him by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.”
Falling far short
With Father’s law
Darkness of sin
Man’s many flaws
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False righteousness
Enemy seeks
Transgressions breathe
Judgment shall speak
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Condemnation
Actions deserved
Love intervenes
Mercy preserved
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Empty works fade
Grace filled with love
Sin meets Savior
Called from above
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Calvary bleeds
Empty tomb’s light
Redemption saves
Heaven’s hope bright
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Righteousness found
In Christ, our Lord
Through faith, not works
By His accord
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From Romans 3:27-28: “Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. Through what kind of law? That of works? No, rather through the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.”
From 1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs.”
Walking alone
Thirsty for love
Only darkness
Spirit above
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Christ comes to earth
Love so daring
Gospel’s bright light
Filled with caring
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Full of patience
Love now reveals
Finding God’s grace
Divine, yet real
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Come, drink deeply
Receiving love
Hope grows through faith
Promised above
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From 1 Corinthians 13:13:Â “And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.”
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From Colossians 4:5-6: “Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.”
Words, each matter
Jesus leading
Seasoned with salt
Prayer feeding
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Words filled with peace
Jesus imparts
Seasoned with grace
Mercy fills heart
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Words magnify
Jesus’ teachings
Seasoned with love
Change far-reaching
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Words quieting
Jesus transforms
Seasoned with faith
Now empty storms
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Words share wisdom
Jesus’ sixth sense
Seasoned with truth
Gospel’s defense
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Words new pathway
Jesus affirms
Seasoned with salt
Goodness confirms
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From Luke 6:45:Â “The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil, for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.”
From Psalm 103:8: “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
Praising God eternal
His merciful grace reigns
Steadfast, abounding love
Unshackling evil’s chains
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Praising almighty God
His glory always reigns
Filled with merciful love
Blessing life, changing lanes
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Praising God’s steady hand
His endless grace shall reign
Forgiveness, heals with love
Boarding heavenly train
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Praising God’s Holy name
Spirit coming to reign
His mercy shared with love
Covering distant plains
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Praising God’s divine plan
Son’s kingdom born to reign
Taste lasting, grace-filled love
Washing white, sinful veins
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From the words of American pastor and theologian, Eugene Peterson:Â “God is sheer mercy and grace.”
From Isaiah 7:14: “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.”
Leading from Zion
Mercy taking flight
God shall be with us
Hope’s ember of light
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Sprouting from his roots
Jesse’s stump alive
Faithful branches breathe
Hope’s spirit survives
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Waiting in prayer
Prophesied birthplace
Prince shall bring His peace
Hope’s beacon of grace
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Sheltering man’s faith
Bethlehem sleeping
Flock’s promised Shepherd
Hope’s heart now leaping
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Believing in God
Life’s harshness turns bright
Virgin bears His Son
Hope’s fulfilling night
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Advent Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son. Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas: hope, peace, joy, and love. Amen.
One of Advent’s most enduring hymns is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” The original text was composed in Latin during the 12th century. In 1861, English priest and scholar John Mason Neale translated the lyrics into what many Christians recognize and sing today.
Grace
Unconditionally offered
Father’s timely gift
Propelling faith’s lasting peace
Love
Hope
Tomorrow’s destiny
God’s everlasting promises
His faithful, righteous Word
Trust
Courage
Undeniably witnessed
Savior’s steadfast journey
Mercy’s blood spilling over
Faith
Big Sky Buckeye 