Even as we rest in what God has done on our behalf, let us be on the tiptoe of expectancy–working, serving, giving, loving, keeping the faith and demonstrating that faith to the world of men and woman around us.
From 3 John 1:4: “I have no greater joy than this, to hear that My children are walking in the truth.”
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 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
Christ comes to earth
Love so daring
Gospel’s bright light
Filled with caring
Full of patience
Love now reveals
Finding God’s grace
Divine, yet real
Come, drink deeply
Receiving love
Hope grows through faith
Promised above
From 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.”
Divine love can’t be fully comprehended by the human mind, but it can nonetheless be ours through faith in Jesus Christ.
From 1 John 4:14-15: “And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent His Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God.”
Faith makes all things possible, love makes all things easy.
From Galatians 5:6: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.”
D. L. Moody (1837-1899), also known as Dwight Lyman Moody, was an American evangelist and Christian teacher. He is frequently credited with inspiring modern mass revivalism.
From Luke 2:1-7: “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 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, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com
Hallelujah!
Angels sing, from heavens above
Glory forever, to a newborn King
Praising Emmanuel, as they sing
Hallelujah!
Virgin Mary, mother to this Son
Jesus will be His blessed name
This world, never to be the same
Hallelujah!
Born in a bustling hamlet, Bethlehem
Chiseled in history, forever renowned
Baby in a manger, shepherds found
Hallelujah!
God with us, in flawless human form
Walking in our steps, we will trust
Witnessing a Cross, our Savior must
Hallelujah!
God lifts the veil of His great plan
His Son will bear our bloody sins
Forever, God’s flock will say “Amen”
Hallelujah!
All bow, take a bended knee
Praise our Savior in prayer
Darkness leaves, Jesus cares
Hallelujah!
God’s divine, sacrificial plan
Jesus comes in person, to save
He overpowers sin and the grave
Hallelujah!
Birth of this blessed, Holy child
Peace and joy, we will follow Him
His righteousness, a lasting hymn
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Originally published December, 2019.
It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.
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.
Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English writer whose novels are generally considered some of the greatest published during the Victorian era.
From Luke 2:15-16: “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger.”
Love breathes at creation
Stirring throughout darkest void
Goodness pouring from light
Father’s plans fully deployed
Love’s promises share hope
Flowing with peace, yet to come
From depths of Father’s Word
Mercy’s steady, beating drum
Love fulfills prophecy
Abounding in Father’s grace
No longer in darkness
Joy framing faith’s new embrace
Love’s assurance descends
Flowing from Father’s goodwill
Bethlehem’s stirring peace
Silent night, shepherds stand still
Love pours into each heart
Enduring Father sows seeds
Messiah fulfills hope
Light releasing joy’s proceeds
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.
English pastor and hymn writer, Isaac Watts, wrote the lyrics for “Joy to the World” in 1719. These verses embrace his interpretation of Psalm 98, which serves as a blessed completion of this Advent series of poems.
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
Praising almighty God
His glory always reigns
Filled with merciful love
Blessing life, changing lanes
Praising God’s steady hand
His endless grace shall reign
Forgiveness, heals with love
Boarding heavenly train
Praising God’s Holy name
Spirit coming to reign
His mercy shared with love
Covering distant plains
Praising God’s divine plan
Son’s kingdom born to reign
Taste lasting, grace-filled love
Washing white, sinful veins
From the words of American pastor and theologian, Eugene Peterson: “God is sheer mercy and grace.”
From Psalm 30:5: “For His anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
Morning gathering
Hearing Christ’s invite
Come now, rest a spell
Witnessing His delight
Tasting each morning
Sweetness of His grace
Reading Father’s Word
Peace fills this very place
Blessed morning time
Taking faithful walk
Christ offers His love
Trusting salvation’s rock
Finding morning’s truth
Gospel’s foundation
Maturing in faith
Father’s new creation
Tomorrow morning
Gathering again
Precious time with Christ
Praising His lasting reign
From Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Big Sky Buckeye 