Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Twenty

THE SET UP: So far we've spent the month of December trying to see Christmas through the eyes of the Old Testament prophets and the people who actually lived it, and we've learned a lot about God in the process. We see:

It is always better to obey God, even when it doesn’t make sense. We can trust God. Even when we’re skeptical, when we can’t see how God can do what He says He will do, we can and should trust in Him. Just ask Gabriel, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, or Joseph!

He works through ordinary people, not rulers or kings or rich people. He even works through government officials who don’t believe in Him.  Zechariah was an ordinary priest, one of many. Elizabeth was an old woman. Mary was just a young girl in a small backwater village. Joseph couldn’t afford the cost of circumcision in the temple. If you think you’re insignificant, remember God knows your name. No matter what you’ve done or who you are, you can be made new in him. Caesar Augustus had no idea he was helping pave the way for Jesus.

When circumstances seem dire, don’t blame God. He may have planned it exactly that way. Remember Mary and Joseph wound up in the stable because there were no rooms at the Inn. Then they had to go hide in Egypt for a few years for safekeeping.

God chooses the humble over the important, proud, and rich. Just ask the shepherds. God didn’t announce the birth of his son to rulers or the religious elite but to the lowly shepherds. The church mostly advances along through the winding paths of the ordinary and the outcasts, the misfits, and mundane. If you feel like a misfit, be encouraged. God can and will use you.

God visits those whose eyes are fixed on Him. Simeon and Anna waited patiently for several years to see God in human form. And because they never wavered in keeping their eyes fixed on God, they had the privilege of meeting Jesus while Temple priests, scribes, and religious officials missed it entirely.

Age is not a requirement for God. He works through the young and old alike and everyone in between. Elizabeth was beyond child-bearing years and Zechariah was almost 100. Anna and Simeon were in their 80s. Mary was barely a teenager.

God often tells us ahead of time what He plans to do. Just check out the prophecies about Jesus. He’s not shy about proving the truth of what He tells us in his Word. Stories are great, and we love the Christmas story, but don’t lose sight of the fact that it can all be proven scientifically and mathematically!

He plans things out far ahead of time – decades and even centuries. Micah prophesied 700 years before Christ that He would be born in Bethlehem. Isaiah prophesied almost 800 years before Christ about the traits He would have. And the Wise Men were being trained to look for the star for centuries before they actually saw it. God is always planning and preparing for what He says will come to pass.

God always wins. No matter how bad the bad guys are, they’re no match for God. Just ask Herod.

God can reach anyone whose minds are open and searching for the truth. The Wise Men will forever be known as wise because they were searching for the truth. When it turned out to be completely opposite of what they assumed they would find, it mattered not. They had seen the real God and they worshiped Him.

If we want our prayers to be answered, faith makes the difference. God does reward those who depend on him. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth builds our trust in God. When God proclaims something over our lives or we read something in the Bible, we need to trust Him.

Appearances can be deceiving. Faith grasps the truth. So much of the Christmas story is opposite of what people would have expected – the rulers and authorities were powerless and clueless; the simple, poor and ordinary were the heroes. David, as the youngest in his family, knows better than anyone that God looks at the heart, not the outside trappings. Always look for the truth and trust your faith to help you find it.

Let’s not just be hearers of the Word, but doers (James 1:22), always looking for how we can apply its truths to our lives today. Don’t ever open God’s Word without asking yourself what you learned from it and how your life should change to reflect that knowledge.

PASSAGES TO READ:  2 Timothy 3:14-17; James 1:22-25

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      As Christmas quickly approaches, what are you most anticipating this year?

·      Which of the lessons above do you most relate to this Advent season?

·      How can our reflection on Christ during the Advent season change your life as we begin a new year in a couple weeks?

PRAYER:  Father God, thank you for your precious Word of Truth. May we always look for what we should do when we hear that word; help us to put it into practice every day.

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Nineteen

THE SET UP: The story of Jesus saturates the Bible narrative and prophecies of His first Advent are found throughout the Old Testament. One scholar, J. Barton Payne, found as many as 574 verses in the Old Testament that somehow point to or describe or reference the coming Messiah. Alfred Edersheim found 456 Old Testament verses referring to the Messiah. Conservatively, Jesus fulfilled at least 300 prophecies in His earthly ministry.

As one of the major prophets, the book of Isaiah has many of those prophecies, perhaps more than any other book of the Old Testament. In fact, Isaiah 53 is the most quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament. Maybe that’s why Matthew quotes Isaiah in the story of Jesus’ birth (Matthew 1:23). Jesus himself quotes Isaiah when he announces who He is at the start of His ministry (Luke 4:21).

We just can’t look at the birth of Jesus without considering the many prophecies He fulfilled, and Isaiah is the best place to find those predictions. Known as the “Shakespeare of the prophets,” Isaiah has often been called the “evangelical prophet” because of his incredibly clear and detailed messianic prophecies – all written nearly 800 years before Christ.

Someone calculated that the 36 details about the Messiah in chapter 53 alone have a 1 out of 68,719,476,736 chance of fulfillment by one person. Jesus fulfilled all of them in His first coming. Yet, there are many more prophecies by Isaiah, and these are astoundingly accurate. Here are just a few found in Isaiah:

●      God promised to send a Son who would be "God with us" ("Emmanuel"). (Isa. 7:14, 8:8, 10)

●      God promised that a virgin would conceive. Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived. (Isa. 7:14)

●      God promised a "stone" that people would trip over. Jesus is our cornerstone.( Isa. 8:14-15)

●      God promised David His Spirit would rest on his offspring. Jesus is that offspring. (Isa. 11:1-2)

●      God promised a time when the blind would see. Jesus healed the blind. (Isa. 29:18, 35:5)

●      God promised a time when the deaf would hear. Jesus healed the deaf. (Isa. 35:5)

●      God promised a time when the lame would be healed. Jesus healed the lame. (Isa. 35:6)

●      God promised a time when the mute would speak. Jesus healed the mute. (Isa. 35:6)

●      God is the shepherd who tends His sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. (Isa. 40:10-11)

●      God will send His servant as a light to the Gentiles. Jesus is a light to the Gentiles. (Isa. 42:6)

●      He will not be rebellious or turn away. Jesus obeyed God all the way to the cross. (Isa. 50:5)

●      Isaiah speaks of one who will be beaten and spit upon. Jesus was beaten and spit upon. (Isa. 50:6)

●      The Suffering Servant will be so abused He will not look human. Jesus was beaten, whipped, crucified, and pierced by a spear. (Isa. 52:14)

●      He will be despised and rejected by His own people. He will bear the abuse we deserve for our physical and spiritual healing. Jesus’ tormentors rejected Him and spit in His face. (Isa. 53:4-5)

●      The Suffering Servant will bear our sins. Jesus bore our sins. (Isa. 53:6)

●      The Suffering Servant is like a lamb that does not defend itself. Although Jesus spoke during His trials, He never offered a defense. (Isa. 53:7)

●      The Suffering Servant’s people did not protest His death. Only Pilate protested Jesus’ death. (Isa. 53:8)

●      The Suffering Servant will die with the wicked. Jesus died with the two thieves. (Isa. 53:9)

●      The Suffering Servant will be buried in the grave of a rich man. Jesus was buried in the grave of Joseph of Arimathea. (Isa. 53:9)

●      God ordained that the Suffering Servant would suffer and die. God sent Jesus to die. (Isa. 53:10)

●      The Suffering Servant’s sacrifice offers forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ sacrifice offers forgiveness of our sins. (Isa. 53:11)

●      The Suffering Servant will intercede for His abusers. Jesus asked God to forgive those who crucified Him. (Isa. 53:12)

●      God promises someone to declare good news for the brokenhearted, captives, and prisoners. Jesus is that someone. (Isa. 61:1 – verse Jesus quotes in announcing who he was)

In addition to his prophecies of Christ, Isaiah is where that famous verse we so often quote comes from: “Here am I; send me.” (Isa. 6:8). Are we ready to be sent?

PASSAGE TO READ: Isaiah 9:1-7, Isaiah 53

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      In your opinion, how much is belief in Jesus’ birth based in fact and how much is based in faith?

·      When you look back at your life, what are some things that God has done that have caused your faith to grow?

PRAY: “Lord, open our eyes to see, hear, and understand your truth. Thank you for providing such compelling evidence that Jesus is your son. Deepen our faith to believe what you say, always. We are ready to serve you.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Eighteen

THE SET UP: Prophecy is an indispensable part of the Nativity story – with good reason. God has always spoken and acted in real history, through actual events and real human lives. He has made promises and kept them and called people to record and remember them. He’s not an obscure deity of myth and legend, but the true God who has done wondrous things – none more so than the birth, life, death and resurrection of His Son.

The facts of Jesus’ life matter. The Christmas story isn’t just about having all the holiday feelings. It’s about a God who promised men and women long ago that he would send His Messiah for them, to save them and give them hope. And it’s about God delivering on those promises centuries later, at the place and moment of His choosing, through the birth of His son Jesus.

There are over 300 prophecies that point directly to the Messiah. Let’s start with eight that deal with the birth and early early years of Jesus’ life:

He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14).

The Savior would come from the seed of a woman (Genesis 3:15).

He would be adored by Magi (Psalm 72:10,15; Isaiah 60: 3,6).

He would be called out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14-15).

The Savior would come from the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:3; 17:19; Numbers 24:17), and the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10).

The Messiah would be an heir to King David’s throne and would reign for eternity (2 Samuel 7:12-13;16).

A messenger in the wilderness would prepare the way for the Messiah so that the glory of God would be revealed (Isaiah 40:3-5).

Mathematician Peter Stoner figured out the probability of one man fulfilling just eight of these prophecies and concluded that the chance of the prophesied Messiah fulfilling all eight is one in 100,000,000,000,000,000 (that’s 17 0s!). He illustrated that by saying if you took that many silver dollars and laid them on the face of Texas it would cover the state two feet deep. Then, blindfold a man and tell him he must pick up one specific silver dollar previously marked. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Stoner concludes, “Any man who rejects Christ as the Son of God is rejecting a fact proved perhaps more absolutely than any other fact in the world.”

PASSAGES TO READ: It looks like a lot, but each of these verses is tied to one of the prophecies about Jesus’ birth: Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14; Genesis 3:15;  Psalm 72:10, 15; Isaiah 60:3,6; Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14-16; Genesis 12:3; 17:19; Numbers 24:17; Genesis 49:10 ; 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 40:3-5.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      How do all of these prophecies being fulfilled affect your view of Jesus’ birth? Do they strengthen your faith in Christ? Why or why not?

·      Which one of the prophecies about Jesus’ birth seem most improbable to you?

PRAY: “Father God, it is so humbling and amazing at the same time to see how science and fact prove the truth of your Word. May our faith be deepened and emboldened to know that there is scientific proof that Jesus is who He said He was – the Son of God and Savior of the world. You have given us more than enough for even the most skeptical among us to understand and accept. Thank you for sending Jesus to us. May we be forever grateful for Him.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotions: Day Seventeen

THE SET UP: The Old Testament ends with this verse from the book of Malachi:

See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents. (Malachi 4:5-6)

Why is that important? Because after that, God goes silent…for 400 years! No prophets, no angels, no word at all. If you know the Christmas story well, it’s easy to shrug and just move on when you hear about an angel appearing – they’re synonymous with Christmas after all. However, angels didn’t appear in Zechariah’s day – and rarely appear even overall recorded history. They just happen to be all over the Christmas story.

So is it any wonder that Zechariah is skeptical when he is visited by an angel – the same angel who appeared to Daniel 500 years earlier? His response was stunned disbelief. Some reports say Zechariah was 99 and Elizabeth was 88 when John was born, but if that can’t be verified, you can be certain they were both well over 60 (that was considered beyond “child-bearing years” at the time). So long he had prayed, so many tears he had shed. And now it is happening?

Gabriel tells Zechariah that he and his wife will have a child, a child who will bring back many people to God, and in the Spirit and power of Elijah, he will prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. Not just any baby, but one empowered by the Holy Spirit even before he is born to point people to Jesus!

I don’t know about you, but I’d be right there with Zechariah in asking, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

I mean get real…a baby…at that age? A prophet like Elijah? Who’s going to make that happen? Turns out, God is.

Zechariah was not a very important priest in the temple – he was one of 300 priests in the family of Abijah (Luke 1:5) and one of 24 divisions of priests in Israel. An ordinary priest, but one God chose to have a pivotal role in the coming of Christ.

His eyes (and voice) were opened, and when John was born, Zechariah was ready, fully believing and trusting God would do exactly what He said He would. Zechariah goes on to prophesy over his son, “You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him” (Luke 1:76).

Zechariah served God devoutly in the temple. He obeyed God as the angel had instructed him. As John the Baptist's father, he raised his son as a Nazarite, a holy man pledged to the Lord. Zechariah contributed, in his way, to God's plan to save the world from sin.

PASSAGE TO READ: Malachi 4:5-6, Luke 1:1-23, Luke 1:57-80

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      How would you have responded to the angel’s message if you were Zechariah?

·      A child was Zechariah and Elizabeth’s dream. What would be a “wish come true” that God could bring to you?

·      What is a lesson you are taking from Zecharia and Elizabeth’s story?

PRAYER: “Father God, I thank you that you chose ordinary people like me to do your Kingdom work. I know that there are times when I just find it hard to believe, especially when it comes to something you’ve told me about myself. I pray right now that you would help me overcome that skepticism, help me hear your voice and be confident that you will do what you say you will do, even when it seems impossible with human eyes. Let me not doubt your ability to do anything, including what I cannot see or know. Help me be patient in my ‘seasons of silence’ – and know that you are working even when I can’t see or feel your presence. Amen.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Sixteen

THE SET UP: The prophets of the Old Testament often saw things that would not take place for centuries, that is “foretelling” prophecy, prophesying about things that are to come. The prophets also gave “forthtelling” prophecies, which were words to the people (mostly Israel) that were inspired by God. Those were also the prophesies in which the prophet would speak to the current condition of Israel and how God wanted those things to change. The prophecies about the birth of Jesus (the Messiah) were foretelling prophecies – messages of hope for the future.

One of those prophets was Isaiah, and he prophesied that from birth, Christ would be filled with power, peace, and the Spirit of God. This speaks to Jesus’ nature as being fully God and fully man.

In today’s texts you will read some of the most familiar passages about Jesus in the Old Testament. Take time to contemplate the significance of their message and how that affects your view of Jesus’ birth.

PASSAGE TO READ: Isaiah 9:1-7, Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 4:14-21

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      Of all these descriptions of Jesus, which one is most meaningful to you? Why is that?

·      When Jesus says he will proclaim good news to the poor, healing to the brokenhearted, and freedom for captives and prisoners, what does that mean to you? How do you see Jesus doing those things as you read the New Testament gospels?

PRAYER: “Jesus, thank you for coming into this world to proclaim good news, heal the broken, and set people free. This Advent season, may I look for opportunities to proclaim your good news to others, to help those who are brokenhearted, and to pray for those around me who need to be set free. Amen.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Fifteen

THE SET UP: Advent is a season of anticipation. The word Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus, which means, “coming or arrival.” As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus, we reflect on what that birth means for the world and our own lives. Advent culminates in Christmas – the birth of Christ. It is a season of great joy as we celebrate the gift of salvation that God has given to us through his son, Jesus.

This third Sunday of Advent we are filled with joy as we anticipate the arrival of the Savior. In a world that can bring pain, difficulty, and trials, the gift of joy that comes from knowing we can trust God with every situation is a gift to everyone who puts their faith in Christ.

PASSAGE TO READ: Luke 2:8-20

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      What do you think the difference is between happiness and joy? Is there one in your mind?

·      What brings you the most joy during Christmas?

·      How do the words of the angel who spoke to the shepherds bring you joy?

PRAYER: “Father, you offer that same joy to us now if we know you and recognize Jesus as our Savior and Lord. You gave us a reason to celebrate when you gave us the unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ. You came to dwell among us. You went to Calvary’s cross for us. You overcame death and rose from the dead for us. You forgive our sins and give us eternal life when we believe in you. 

Our joy doesn’t come from our jobs, our family, our relationships, our finances, or our success. Our joy doesn’t come from what we have on earth or who we are with. Our joy is a gift. It is the gift that you gave us that first Christmas in Jesus Christ. Our joy is encompassed in our Savior, King Jesus. Flood our heart with joy this Advent season as we reflect on the good news of Jesus’ birth. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Fourteen

THE SET UP: Yesterday we read a passage from Psalm 72 in the Old Testament which prophesied that nomads (shepherds) would come and bow down before the Messiah in worship, which is fulfilled in Luke 2 when shepherds became the first witnesses to the birth of Jesus. As the passage in Psalm 72 continues we read that kings will come from afar and bring gifts for the king, which we see in Matthew’s gospel. In Matthew chapter two, royal wise men (Magi) travel from the east to find the newborn king.

The Magi were not present at the birth of Jesus, or immediately afterward like the shepherds. Most biblical scholars believe Jesus was between 18-months and two years old when the Magi arrived to worship him. This is based on Matthew 2:16-18, when King Herod ordered that all baby and infant boys who were two years old and younger be killed, trying to eliminate the “king of the Jews”. This is also the fulfillment of a prophecy from the Old Testament (Jeremiah 31:15).

When the Magi arrived to worship Jesus, they brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold represented royalty, it was a gift for a king. Frankincense was used in the sacred incense that was offered in the temple, it symbolized Jesus as our high priest. And myrrh was used in embalming, symbolizing Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins.

Many people have suggested that the reason we exchange gifts on Christmas is because of the gifts the Magi brought to Jesus, and there is probably some truth in that. But the greatest gift given at Christmas is Jesus (God so loved the world, he GAVE – John 3:16). As we wait during Advent for the birth of Jesus, may we give thanks and worship to the greatest gift ever given.

PASSAGE TO READ: Psalm 72:10-11, Matthew 2:1-12

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      What is your favorite or most memorable Christmas gift? What was so special about it?

·      When you reflect on the three gifts given to Jesus and what they represent, which one sticks out to you the most? Why?

·      How has Jesus been a gift to you in the last few weeks?

PRAYER: “Lord, thank you for the greatest Christmas gift ever given. You didn’t give something, you gave someone. In the same way, the greatest gift I can give to you is my life in surrender. Help me to renew my commitment to worship you with my life, not just my words this Advent season. Amen.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Thirteen

THE SET UP: One of my favorite things about the account of Jesus’ birth is the unique cast of characters in the story. Yesterday we talked about the Magi, wise men from the east who came to worship Jesus. They were wise and wealthy. Today, we would place them among the “elites.” But what Jesus came to do wasn’t just for the haves in society, it was also for the have-nots. That included some of the most blue-collar people in that day, shepherds.

Shepherds were essentially nomads who wandered with their flocks, spending more time with sheep than people. They were seen as lowly and untrustworthy. In fact, shepherds were not allowed as witnesses in court because it was believed you could not trust their testimony. How ironic that God would choose shepherds to be the first witnesses to the birth of Jesus. After angels appeared and brought them, “good news that will bring great joy to all people,” their first thought was, “Let’s go to town and see this for ourselves!” The first people to see and worship the newborn Messiah were shepherds. All of this is prophesied by Solomon in Psalm 72. As Solomon describes a great king that will one day sit on the throne of Israel (the Messiah), he writes, “Desert nomads will bow before him; his enemies will fall before him in the dust.” That night in the stable, nomadic shepherds bowed before Jesus.

God making shepherds the first witnesses at the manger isn’t that ironic at all. It is consistent with the way God used every day, ordinary, run-of-the-mill people for extraordinary things. It’s one of my favorite things about how God works in our lives. Advent and the Christmas story is a reminder to each of us that Jesus is for all of us. As we wait in anticipation to celebrate the good news, may we be reminded that the gift of Jesus is for all of us and that we can be messengers of that hope.

PASSAGE TO READ: Psalm 72, Luke 2:8-20

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      Why do you think God chose the shepherds as the first to come and worship Jesus? Is there anything surprising to you about that?

·      If Jesus’ birth was happening now, who would be the equivalent of shepherds (unlikely characters) in the story?

·      What does the spectrum of worshippers (Magi to shepherds) in the Christmas story mean to you when it comes to who God is and how he sees us?

PRAYER: “God, thank you for showing us in the birth of Jesus that the gift of your son and the gift of salvation is for everyone. This Advent season may people who don’t know this, who think they are not qualified, discover that gift. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Twelve

THE SET UP: In 2021 NASA launched the James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful telescope in history. The images the Webb Telescope has provided and the discoveries it has made are mind-boggling. Philosopher Emanuel Kant said, “the moral law within and the starry hosts above,” were two compelling proofs for the existence of God. Indeed, while only 9,096 stars are visible with the naked eye, research has determined that our universe contains three septillion stars. For context, there are a trillion trillions in a septillion. So, there are three trillion trillions of stars. Wow.

In the account of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Matthew, we read that the Magi (Wisemen) of the east followed a star to find the birthplace of Jesus (read about it in Matthew 2). When they inquired of Herod as to the location of the King of the Jews, they said, “we have seen his star rise in the east and have come to worship him.” They had been watching for the star in anticipation of the Messiah.

This is an important part of the Christmas narrative because thousands of years earlier, a prophecy about the star had been given. It is found in Numbers 24:17, “I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel.” This was spoken by a prophet named Balaam. Balaam had been hired by a king to curse Israel. But every time Balaam started to prophecy, he blessed Israel instead. It frustrated the king but Balaam refused to say anything except what God told him to say. So he blessed Israel. And in that blessing he saw that in the distant future a star would rise and a scepter (king) would emerge from Israel. What a cool reminder of the consistent message of the Bible as it points to Jesus. It’s also a reminder that even when others might want to see us fail, God can cause us to be blessed.

PASSAGE TO READ: Numbers 24, Matthew 2:1-12

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      Who are your favorite characters in the Christmas story? Why?

·      When you think of the incredible majesty of creation and our universe, does it help you to believe that God can do anything? Why or why not?

·      What do you think the Wise Men were looking for when they followed the star? What do you think most people are looking for when they begin to follow Jesus? How about you?

PRAYER: “Lord, thank you for the fulfillment of your promises, even using a prophet who was asked to curse your people. Thank you for turning curses into blessing in our lives. May we look to you, the creator of the universe, for wisdom and guidance. Amen.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Eleven

THE SET UP: In the Old Testament book of Exodus, we read the account of Israel’s exodus from Egypt. Led by Moses and with God’s miraculous signs, they were leaving behind 430 of slavery in Egypt. They were headed toward a land that God had promised them, but the journey would take them through some barren lands. One of the first obstacles they faced in the wilderness was the Red Sea before them and the Egyptian armies closing in behind them. God miraculously parted the sea, allowing them to walk across on dry land with the sea closing after them, drowning their pursuers.

You would think that being freed from Egyptian slavery and walking through the middle of a sea on dry ground would have cemented Israel’s faith in God and Moses. Well, it did. For about twenty-four hours. Then they began murmuring and complaining, wanting to return to Egypt to get food. The idea that God would provide for them in the desert was unbelievable to them. But God did provide for them. Every day, they received fresh bread from heaven they called manna. God literally gave them their daily bread. In Psalm 78:24-25, it’s described this way: “He [God] rained down manna for them to eat; he gave them bread from heaven. They ate the food of angels! God gave them all they could hold.”

Hundreds and hundreds of years later, Jesus would be born in a town called Bethlehem, which literally means, “House of Bread.” He would quote the Old Testament passage, “Man doesn’t live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” And about himself, he would say, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35)

As you anticipate Christmas, be reminded that God knows exactly what you need today. As he provided bread in the wilderness for Israel, and as Jesus promised to satisfy our spiritual appetite forever, he will provide what you need today.

PASSAGE TO READ: Exodus 16, John 6:22-42

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      When you read the account of Israel and the manna God provided in Exodus 16, what sticks out to you in the story?

·      What do you think Jesus means when he says he is the bread of life?

·      When you pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” what does that mean to you? What are you praying for?

PRAYER: “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Ten

THE SET UP: Throughout the Old Testament, there are many “types” of the Messiah that foreshadow Jesus’ ultimate victory as the Messiah. These are people and events in the history of Israel that draw parallels to what Jesus would do to deliver not just Israel but all of human history from their sin. An example would be our devotional from December 7th, where Abraham is told to sacrifice his son Isaac. While Isaac is ultimately spared, it foreshadows God’s gift of his only son, who would be the sacrificial lamb that takes away the sins of the world.

The story of Joseph in Genesis has parallels to Jesus’ story in many ways. He was his father’s favorite son (Jesus is God’s only son), he was betrayed by his own family (John’s gospel tells us that Jesus came to his own, but his own received him not), Joseph went through difficulty and persecution (as Jesus did), and most importantly, Joseph was used by God to save Israel from famine (Jesus brought salvation to the whole world). Finally, Joseph chose to forgive those who betrayed him (Jesus forgave his executioners from the cross and provides forgiveness for all of us).

Joseph’s story gives a glimpse of what is to come when the Messiah is born. If Advent is about waiting or anticipation, stories like Joseph’s remind us that God is always working, even when it is hard to see. It also reminds us that God’s plans will not be derailed by any circumstance or situation.

PASSAGE TO READ:Genesis 37, 39-41, 50:14-21

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      There were many places in Joseph’s story that looked like the end of the road. But God did not allow his plan to send Jesus to be thwarted. What does that mean to you?

·      When you have been facing a challenging situation in your life, has God ever given you some little glances of hope even before the final answer showed up? How so?

·      What is the most remarkable part of Joseph’s story in your opinion? What has it taught you?

PRAYER: “Lord, I thank you that you have the ability to turn pain into promise and sorrow into joy. I pray that you would help me to find hope in every circumstance and remember that no matter how things look to me, you are in control and you will have the final word. The bible says that, ‘nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.’ Thank you for that promise as I wait. Amen.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Nine

THE SET UP: Have you ever felt like a runner up in life? Maybe you were put in the “friend zone” when you hoped for more of a relationship with someone. Or you kept getting the interview, but not the job. If you feel that enough times in your life, you can begin to think, “Life is great, just not for me.” And if you are a follower of Jesus, you might think, “God is good and can do anything, but probably not for me.”

 Leah could relate to all those feelings and more. She was Jacob’s first wife. Unfortunately, her sister Rachel was Jacob’s second wife and the one he had wanted all along. Leah’s father had tricked Jacob into marrying her and then made it up to him by arranging for Jacob to marry Rachel also. Jacob’s heart and attention were obviously focused on Rachel, and Leah felt more like a servant girl than a wife. So she cried out to God for a son so she could win Jacob’s heart, and God heard her prayer and blessed her with a son. But while Jacob loved his son, it didn’t change how he treated his wives.

 You may be wondering how this sad story relates to Advent and the birth of Jesus, the Savior. Well, Leah continued to give Jacob children, and one of her sons was named Judah. There were twelve tribes that made up the nation of Israel, and Judah was one of those tribes. It is the tribe and family line of Judah that produced David, one of the greatest kings of Israel. And, thousands of years later, another king, Jesus, would be born from the tribe of Judah. You can see the genealogy of Judah, David, and Jesus in Matthew 1.

 As we anticipate Christmas during this Advent season, you may feel that the hope of the holidays is for everyone except you. Like Leah, it may seem that joy is beyond your grasp. But know that God is working in your life just as he was working in the life of Leah and that he has a purpose and a plan for you. May you rejoice in God’s gifts in your life this Christmas!

PASSAGE TO READ: Genesis 29

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      If you were in Leah’s situation, how do you think you would have felt? Have you ever had those feelings about your own life?

·      How do you feel your faith in Jesus has helped you experience joy and purpose in life?

·      Is there a place in your life where you can look back and see how God used a difficult time in your life to produce something positive? If so, how does that change your perspective about that difficult situation?

PRAYER: “Lord, thank you for seeing me in the times when I have felt unseen. I believe that you have a plan for my life and that it is for my good. When I am unsure about your goodness in my life, remind me that your love, mercy, and grace is not just for others. I pray you would give me an opportunity to share that hope this holiday season. Amen.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Eight

THE SET UP: Advent is a season of anticipation. The word Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus, which means, “coming or arrival.” As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus, we reflect on what that birth means for the world and our own lives. One of the titles that was given prophetically to Jesus in the Old Testament was “Prince of Peace.” In Advent, we anticipate Christ’s birth and the peace that we experience in knowing and following him.

This second Sunday of Advent we pray for peace as we anticipate the birth of Jesus. Throughout history as well as today, people have desired peace. Peace in the world around them and peace in their own inner worlds. Jesus’ birth would bring the opportunity for peace into our world. Peace with God, peace with others, and peace with ourselves.

In the Gospel of John, chapter 16, Jesus speaks frankly, but encouragingly to His disciples: “Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe?  But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

PASSAGE TO READ: John 16:16-33

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

- What does it mean to you to experience peace? How would you describe it?

- What is the thing (or things) most likely to keep you from experiencing peace in your life?

- How do Jesus’ words in John 16 give you hope for experiencing peace in your life?

PRAYER: “Jesus, thank You for the promise of Your peace. Even though we may face trials and sorrows in our lives, we are not alone. You promised to never leave us or forsake us. And you promised us that you have overcome the world. Whatever this world can throw at us, you have already overcome.

 Today we pray for peace in our world. Where this is war, abuse, pain and suffering, we ask for your peace to be poured out. For those caught in the middle of those situations, please surround them in your peace and bring people into their lives who can help them to know you, the Prince of Peace.

 And for those among us today that need to experience peace in their relationships, their homes, and their hearts, send your peace. Calm the storms of their lives and give them your peace, amen.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Seven

THE SET UP: Advent is all about anticipation. We await the arrival of the newborn king, Jesus. Sarah and Abraham must have had the same sense of anticipation as they awaited the birth of their son and the fulfilment of God’s promise that they would be the parents of a great nation. The day their son Isaac was born had to feel like a dream come true. They would do anything to care for, protect, and nurture this gift from God.

Then Genesis 22 happens. God calls Abraham to the top of a mountain to offer Isaac back to him as a sacrifice. This is a troubling passage of the Bible to read. God asking Abraham to sacrifice the most valuable thing in his life, his only son. As Abraham and Isaac dutifully climb the mountain, there had to have been an incredible weight on Abraham’s heart. When Isaac asks his father what they will use for a sacrifice on the mountain, Abraham responds with unwavering faith, “Jehovah-Jireh,” which means, “the Lord will provide.”

As you read the passage, you will discover that Isaac’s life is spared (spoiler alert) and Abraham’s faith in God is rewarded. But Abraham didn’t know the outcome at the onset, he walked in faith and waited for God’s provision to show up.

As we anticipate Christmas, the parallels and contrasts to the story of Jesus are powerful. Like Isaac, Jesus is God’s only son. Like Isaac, Jesus arrived in a miraculous way. But unlike Isaac, Jesus’ sacrifice was not forestalled. There would be no last-minute substitution. Jesus would bear the weight of our sin on the cross. He was, “the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). Abraham’s test and Isaac’s rescue are a foreshadowing of Jesus’ test and sacrifice on our behalf. As we anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth, may we remember his sacrifice and God’s provision for us.

PASSAGE TO READ: Genesis 22:1-19

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      Put yourself in Abraham’s shoes: what do you think he was feeling/thinking as he walked up the mountain with Isaac? What do you think Isaac was feeling?

·      Why do you think God tested Abraham’s faith the way that he did? What do you think he wanted Abraham to learn?

·      What does Abraham’s statement, “Jehovah-Jireh” (the Lord will provide) mean to you when it comes to Christmas? How have you see God’s provision in your life this year?

PRAYER: “Lord, I don’t know how to adequately express my gratitude for your sacrifice for me. I am like Isaac and you became the sacrificial lamb that took my place. Thank you for all the ways I have seen your provision in my life. Help me to share that gift with others around me this Advent season. Amen.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Six

THE SET UP: I’ve been inside several nursing homes and I have yet to visit one that has a nursery in it. There aren’t a lot of births in a senior center. So, it’s not really surprising that when Sarah, a 98 year-old woman, overhears the Lord telling her husband that in the next year, she is going to become a first-time mother, Sarah laughed. It might have been one of those, “Laugh so you don’t cry,” situations. And who could blame her for laughing? In that culture and point in history, a woman’s identity was tied up in her ability to have children. All her life that had been her dream and seemingly a dream unfulfilled.

When you read today’s package, you’ll see that God had a simple question in response to Sarah’s chuckling doubt, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” What we think, and how we answer that question says a lot about how we see God and how we see our own lives. Sarah’s initial response was based in her human understanding of what was possible. But God spoke from his ability to do the impossible. “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

In Luke chapter one, another woman, this time a young engaged teenager, is given a similar promise, “You will conceive and give birth to a son!” Mary doesn’t laugh, she’s too shocked. “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The messenger’s response, “Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). Mary’s final response: “I am the Lord’s servant, may everything you said about me come true.”

Advent is a time to remember that one we are waiting for, the one we are anticipating, is the God of the impossible.

PASSAGE TO READ: Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      If you were in Sarah’s shoes (a 98 year-old woman) how do you think you would have reacted when God said, “This time next year, Sarah will have a baby”? Can you blame her for laughing?

·      Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” How do you see that applying to Sarah’s situation?

·      Compare Sarah’s reaction to God’s promise to Mary’s reaction in Luke 1:38. What do you believe you can do to respond like Mary to God’s promise?

PRAYER: “God of the impossible, help me to see my life and your plan for it through eyes of faith, not through my own limitations. When your plans for my life seem so absurd I want to laugh or so overwhelming I want to cry, remind me that nothing is impossible for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Five

THE SET UP: One of my dad’s favorite expressions (at least when I was doing work for him) was, “There’s never time to do it right, but always time to do it over.” The simple message: shortcuts don’t always work out. Now I’m not above a useful life hack, but I have found that a lot of time that I thought I had a better idea it didn’t turn out that way. Especially when I am trying to give God an assist.

That may have been what was going through Abraham and Sarah’s heads when they concocted a work around when it came to becoming the father and mother of a great nation. They were getting older, and no children were being born. So they decided that arranging a younger wife for Abraham, Sarah’s servant girl Hagar, was a way to fulfill God’s promise to them, or at least speed up the process.

I get it. Who wants to wait? We like drive throughs, microwaves, next-day delivery, and the “buy it now” button on the app. But Advent, which is Latin for, “coming,” or, “arrival,” is about the anticipation of God’s promise being fulfilled – and you can’t microwave that process.

Abraham and Sarah’s plan didn’t work out the way they hoped and it caused a lot of pain for Hagar. But God listened to Hagar. God saw Hagar. Every day during this Advent season, when you wake, remind yourself that he listens to you. And be comforted by the knowledge that he sees you.

PASSAGE TO READ: Genesis 16

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      Have you ever felt like God forgot you, so you tried to figure out your own “plan B”? How did things turn out?

·      Hagar began to call God El Roi which is Hebrew for, “the God who sees me,” and she named her son Ishmael, which means, “God hears.” How does knowing that God sees and hears us help you in the difficult seasons of your life?

·      Are you in the middle of a difficult season of life right now? Do you feel as if God sees you and hears you? How do you typically connect with God to feel His presence in your life?

PRAYER: “God who sees, thank you for sending Jesus to rescue me from the desert of my sin and misery. Thank you for never leaving me even when I feel alone, unseen and unheard. Thank you for being my strength when I am weak. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Four

THE SET UP: Mary was not the first or only parent that God promised a child to. About 2,000 years before the angel appeared to Mary, God promised Abram and Sarai that they would become parents – even though Abraham was 75 years old and Sarai was almost as old! (Genesis 12) I don’t know how a couple that age felt about becoming first-time parents, but God gave them a promise and they clung to it. But that doesn’t mean that it was easy to hold onto hope.

In Genesis 17, God appears to Abram and lets him know he has not forgotten his promise, that Abram would become a father. The catch? Twenty-four years had gone by, Abram was now 99 years-old! If God’s promise seemed like a long shot at 75, it had to seem ridiculous at 99! But the Bible tells us in Genesis and Romans 4 that Abraham continued to believe in a God, “who calls dead things back to life, and things to exist that didn’t exist before,” (Romans 4:17).

The child that God did give to Abraham at the age of 100 was significant. Not just because it brought joy to Sarah and Abraham. Not just because they did become a mighty nation. But because that nation become Israel and it was through their family line that the Messiah, Jesus, was born.

Abraham and Sarah’s story reminds us that God’s ways can be unconventional, and his timing is way different than ours. But as Sarah and Abraham held their son, Isaac, in their arms, they knew for certain that God can fulfill his promises. And this promise led to another and another, until the ultimate fulfillment in a manger in Bethlehem.

Someone once said about the way God works in our lives, “A promise delayed is not a promise denied.” Abraham grew in faith as he waited. As we wait during this season of Advent, may our faith grow as well.

PASSAGE TO READ: Genesis 12:1-9; Genesis 17:1-8

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah seemed impossible. If God were to make you a seemingly impossible promise, what do you think it would be?

·      Romans 4 tells us that Abraham didn’t weaken in the waiting, instead his faith grew stronger. How do you think Abraham managed that? What did he see or know that allowed him to do that?

·      Where has God fulfilled his promises to you in the past? How does that help you to trust him now?

PRAYER: “God, you are the one who calls dead things back to life and makes things exist that never existed before. You did it for Sarah and Abraham and you did it when a young virgin girl gave birth to the Messiah. You are bigger than anything I could ever dream or believe. I pray you would remind me of that when life seems too big and my faith feels too small. Fulfill your promises in my life I pray. Amen.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Three

THE SET UP: One of the most well-known stories in the Bible is the story of Noah’s Ark. People who have spent little time in church or read little of the Bible are often aware of Noah and his giant boat full of animals. Search Noah’s Ark on Amazon and you will find everything from toys to books to pajamas to wallpaper with the familiar image of a wooden boat with animals peeking out the windows.

But Noah’s story is troubling as well. God sees the wickedness and depravity of humanity and Genesis 6:6 says, “So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.” He was going to wipe them from the earth, but Noah, “found favor with the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). So, Noah and his family, along with pairs of animals, were spared. From Noah’s family, the earth is repopulated, and God gives his promise never to destroy the earth with a flood again.

The sparing of Noah’s family not only preserved them, it preserved God’s plan and God’s promise. His promise that one day a savior would come to break the power of sin and make salvation possible.

When God rescued Noah from the flood, he also rescued Christmas. Noah had to survive in a wooden boat so Jesus could be placed in a wooden manger and die on a wooden cross to drown in the tide of God’s judgment—so we wouldn’t have to. So we too could be hidden, not in an ark, but safe in the arms of the Savior.

PASSAGE TO READ: Genesis 6-7

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      When you read that humanity’s wickedness was so great God regretted creating them, what do you picture? How do you think God views the wickedness that exists in our world today?

·      How does Noah and his family being hidden away in the ark and saved give hope to you?

·      Have you ever considered how events that we read about in the Old Testament are significant in God’s plan and the birth of Jesus? Think about some of the “big” stories and moments in the Old Testament (ex: David’s battle with Goliath, Esther’s heroic stand for the Jewish people, etc.) How do you think we can see Jesus’ story in those moments?

PRAYER: “God, in the same way that you made the ark a refuge for Noah and his family, I thank you that I can find my refuge in you. I know that your plan for my life will be accomplished no matter what challenges I face in this life. Help me to put my trust in you when I feel the flood waters rising all around me. You saved Noah so your promise would be fulfilled. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day Two

THE SET UP: Psalm 89 records Israel’s response to what seemed like a broken promise of God. God had promised that King David’s rule would last forever (2 Samuel 7). That his family would remain on the throne, and that one day, the Messiah would come from David’s family. But when Babylon defeated the nation of Israel, the people were taken captive into a foreign land and it seemed that God’s promise was worthless.

Often, what we experience doesn’t seem to line up with what God promised. Like the psalmist, we plead with God, “How long, O Lord? Will you hide forever?” Though He seems distant, Jesus promised to never leave or forsake His disciples. Christmas is an annual reminder that God’s promises always come to pass. Jesus now reigns as king for eternity on the throne of David. His reign extends far beyond the borders of Israel. Christ is exalted as King of kings and Lord of lords. 

As we wait patiently for God to fulfill His promises, remember His promise to David. The fulfillment of God’s promise always exceeds our expectations. God didn’t forget His people then, and He won’t forget us now. 

PASSAGE TO READ: Psalm 89

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      How has God been faithful to you this year?

·      Is there a promise from God (ex: a passage in the Bible, something God spoke to you in prayer) that you are holding onto and waiting on? What helps you to keep trusting God as you wait?

·      Why do you think God doesn’t always fulfill His promises to us immediately? What can we learn in the waiting?

PRAYER: “God I thank you for your faithfulness in all you promise. The Bible says that even when we are unfaithful, you remain faithful because you cannot deny yourself. Faithfulness to your promises is a part of your character. When it seems that some of the things that you have promised aren’t happening in my life, help me to trust you and to grow in the waiting. In the name of Jesus – amen.”

Anticipating Christmas Advent Devotionals: Day One

THE SET UP: One of the hottest movies in theaters this holiday season is Wicked, which is a prequel for the classic movie, The Wizard of Oz.  A prequel gives you some of the back story about the characters and storyline of a well-known movie or story. It helps you understand the story better. For example, The Hobbitintroduces you to the action of Lord of the Rings.

This Advent season, we are looking at the Christmas story in light of the Old Testament. Christmas is the story of Jesus, God in the flesh, being born into this world to bring hope and salvation to all of us. The Old Testament (the part of the Bible before Jesus) helps us to understand WHY Jesus came into the world. The Christmas story doesn’t begin in the manger, it begins in a garden – the Garden of Eden.

Because of Adam and Eve’s decision to reject God’s authority and sin against Him, all of mankind would be born into a fallen and broken world. As God pronounces judgment on Adam and Eve, He also gives hope. One day there would be a savior who would defeat sin and make a way of salvation for humanity. That’s the WHY behind the WHAT of Jesus’ birth.

PASSAGE TO READ: Genesis 3:1-15

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

·      Why do you think Adam and Eve made the choice they did? What was the lure that Satan (the serpent) dangled in front of them?

·      When you look at our present world, or history, where do you see evidence that we live in a fallen and broken world? Where are the results of sin evident?

·      God said that Satan would strike at the woman’s heel, but one day, someone from the woman’s line (humanity) would crush his head. How do you see that foreshadowing Jesus’ birth and life? How does that give you hope?

·      What else did you observe in this passage?

PRAYER: “God, thank you that even when Adam and Eve turned their back on you, you didn’t turn your back on them. Thank you that you don’t do that to us when we sin against you. Because of your promise to send a savior, and because of the birth of Jesus, I can experience your forgiveness, and I have hope. As Christmas draws closer, help me to remember the WHY for the season. In your name, amen.”