Category: General
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The second week of advent often has the theme of peace. When Jesus was born, a host of angels proclaimed, “Peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:14) The peace of God is given to those who have found favour with God. Favour is given to God’s children; those who have…
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Remind yourself every day that the pilgrim journey through this world is not meant to be done alone. This is why we have the church, local and universal. This prayer from Paul to the Thessalonians is a guide for us as we pray for one another: May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus…
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While we wait… let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently… clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:11-14 We behave in this way out of the gratitude that comes…
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Yet you, LORD, are our Father. This statement is part of a confession from Isaiah 63 and 64. The confession is that none of us are clean, none of us are righteous. Humanity is full of corruption and evil, not worthy of the favour of a perfectly holy God. Our only hope is for God…
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The Advent season invites us to embrace wonder and hope rather than control over our future. Just as the first coming of Jesus did not happen as expected, so will the return of Jesus. There is no need to try and figure out the day or the way in which He will come. We need…
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Our blamelessness is the work of God. Any attempts to live a holy life should be done not out of an expectation that we will achieve it. Rather, holy living flows from the grace of God out of a desire to live out our identity as adopted children of God. This is what will keep…
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When Jesus arrived as the Messiah, he came in the most unexpected way. He was expected to be the next king of Israel, yet he was born in a stable. In Matthew 24, Jesus promises that his return would also be unexpected. “No one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but…
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“The days are coming…” Hope is a common theme for the first week of Advent. The purple candle often used in church services represents the hope of the coming Messiah, the “righteous branch” that will sprout from the line of David. In Jeremiah 33:14-16 we read: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when…
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Advent is commonly associated these days with a combination of calendars, chocolate, candles, or religious liturgy. The word comes from the Latin word adventus which means “coming” or “arrival” and is the four-week season of preparation for the coming of Jesus. You may think of preparation for Christmas as more of a busy time of…
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Take a moment to evaluate what is important to you. What is really important? What are you really grateful for? What if all those things were taken away from you? Would you still be grateful? Could you give thanks for today? The single greatest difference between someone who is happy and content, and someone who…
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