If you are in the midst of a trial right now, choose to walk by faith. Choose to “count it all joy.”
From 2 Corinthians 4:17: “For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure.”
David Jeremiah (born 1941) is an American pastor and Christian author.
From Mark 12:29-31: “Jesus answered, ‘The first is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Another blessed day
Celebrate Father’s goodness
Unlimited gifts of grace
From Heaven’s sacred place
With each day, come to serve
Opportunity’s freedom
Spelled out through Christ’s faithful love
Gathered from high above
Sunset follows sunrise
Encouraged by Spirit’s breath
Honor Father with actions
More than just transactions
Share kindness with others
Holds enthusiasm’s joy
Love Jesus with one’s whole heart
Hope journeys to fresh start
Excitement’s daily peace
Truth in Father’s righteousness
Faith’s trustworthy bridge designed
Follow with steps aligned
From Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
First impressions count
Each smile creates another—
One more happy heart
Lifting up others
Laughter’s contagious spirit—
Feeling heartfelt joy
Sharing contentment
Cheerful heart opens one more—
Spirit’s gentleness
In stillness of morn
Single flame burning
Offering goodness
Each hour keeps churning
In stillness of day
Single flame burning
Sharing lasting peace
Heartbeat keeps churning
In stillness of work
Single flame burning
Energizing joy
Outlook keeps churning
In stillness of night
Single flame burning
Encouraging hope
Life shall keep churning
In stillness of dreams
Single flame burning
Grasping tender hand
True love keeps churning
From Hebrews 3:12-13: “Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
Liberty shall be defined
Opportunity arrives
Sharing peace from Jesus Christ
Future’s hope breathing alive
Unconditional spirit
Encouragement’s blessed Word
Turning toward Father’s grace
Benevolence always stirred
Present sufferings shall fade
New creation waits for all
Finding joy in light’s freedom
Chains of sin’s bondage shall fall
Faith’s blessed door now opens
Love invites all to enter
Hearing Father’s steady voice
Mercy waits at room’s center
All peace shines from Son’s goodness
Justified by Father’s hand
Walking in darkness no more
Light’s hope will forever stand
From 1 John 1:5: “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.”
Experiencing
Daily blessings
Heavenly Father above
Source of faith’s comfort
Joy
Praising
Father’s love
Redemption from Savior
Each sin washed white
Peace
Prayer’s
Intimate conversation
Father’s daily grace
Heart opened, hearing Him
Hope
From Luke 2:6-7: “While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in bands of cloth and laid Him in a manger.”
Echoes ring with “Merry Christmas”
To everyone and all
Filled with goodwill’s peace
Witness in each joy-filled call
Deck every hall with love so rich
Each generation shall praise
Gifts of hope opened
Light from Bethlehem ablaze
World no longer suffers darkness
Humble manger shares love
Beneath heavens’ stars
Christ-child descends from above
Dreams of promised peace awakened
Gratitude filled with joy
Faithful kneel to pray
Each shepherd set to deploy
From Luke 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors.”
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.”
God’s plan of redemption
Viewed through love’s transforming scope
Faithful virgin shall bear His Son
Fulfilling flame of eternal hope
God’s warm heart offers love
Promised Prince at Heaven’s gate
Empty darkness shall fill with joy
Breathing from cold, humble stable’s fate
God’s peace nurtures man’s trust
Filled with mercy’s lasting grace
Sacred Word witnessed in Son’s flesh
Living waters share love to embrace
God’s creation speaks truth
Blessed news fills shepherds’ ears
Advent’s greatest virtue breathes love
Silencing night, morning’s sun appears
Light born in Bethlehem
Delivered hope sharing peace
Angels’ unbelievable joy
Praising Savior’s love, shall never cease
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.
The final hymn of this Advent series comes from the inspiration of American pastor and Christian writer Phillips Brooks. Recalling his 1865 trip to Bethlehem, he wrote the lyrics for “O Little Town of Bethlehem” in 1868.
The spiritual life is a life beyond moods. It is a life in which we choose joy and do not allow ourselves to become victims of passing feelings of happiness or depression.
From Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice“
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.
From Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”
Waiting hope, in darkness
World absent of peace
When will joy truly arrive?
Faith’s brokenness must cease
Trusting God without fear
His comfort coming
Joy draws salvation’s water
Messiah forthcoming
Leading to Bethlehem
Hope shall be restored
Peace overflowing with joy
Heaven’s angels onboard
Praising with humble hearts
God’s gentleness seeks
Joy’s rejoicing voices sing
Shepherd’s emotions speak
Proclaiming hope’s presence
Repentance brings peace
Faith’s witness fills lungs with joy
Love opens heaven’s lease
From Isaiah 12:5-6: “Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
An Advent hymn accompanies this poem, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.” This traditional English carol was first discovered in an anonymous manuscript in the 1650s.
Big Sky Buckeye 