Re-Advent Your Life

Are the hectic holidays derailing your devo time with God? If so, we’d love to have you join us in our new digital Advent study called Re-Advent Your Life. We know you’re busy, so we’ve designed it to take only 15 minutes a day. This downloadable (immediate access) PDF works on any of your devices including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. It’s fillable, so you can type with your keyboard or write with a smart pencil directly in it. And for those who prefer paper, it’s also printable.

28-Day Advent Devotional

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years … 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense…  “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

He was a priest of the Most High God. He had been praying for years, we might even say decades, for a baby. Now He and his wife were advanced in years…beyond hope…beyond help.

Yet Zacharias prayed.

The name Zacharias transliterates from the Hebrew as Zakaryah which means Jehovah remembers. And what does God remember? He remembers His word, His will, His promises. He remembers your prayers.

God remembers.

It’s not that God ever forgets your prayers. When the Bible says  He remembers it means He is going to act, according to His word, His will, and His promises, In His perfect timing. God is always on time.

The name Elisabeth is derived from Hebrew and it means God has sworn. What has God promised us at Christmas time? To send His only beloved Son, to be born of a virgin, in the dark of night, in the darkness of our sin, to be the Light of the World.

Let’s put those two names together and receive a Christmas message from God:

Zacharias Elizabeth: GOD REMEMBERS HIS PROMISES.

He will never leave you.

He will never forsake you.

He forgives you.

He loves you.

He promises.

What has God promised you? Please leave a reply in the comment section below. I’d love to chat with you! Merry Christmas!

by Mary Kane

all rights reserved. Copyright 2019

 

Christmas To Do-ers List

Day 3: Watch for Him

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Luke 2:8

Day in. Day out.

Looking. Watching. Waiting. Shepherds in the fields faithfully caring for their sheep. Diligence is their watchword.  Always searching for the finest pasture, the best shelter, and the freshest water.  Looking, watching, and waiting, day in and day out. Night after night. Until one night. O Holy Night!

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Faithfulness in their daily work allowed the shepherds to see Jesus. Had they not been diligent in their mundane tasks, they would have missed the angel’s message,  and they would have missed Jesus. Shepherds watching for the Good Shepherd.

Look. Watch. Wait.

The same thing we do for Jesus.

Look for Jesus this Christmas season. Watch for glimpses of Him as you go through  your ordinary days. Wait for Him to act. Chores, tasks, errands, and suddenly He’s there—teaching, comforting, directing, healing, and loving.

  Watch for Him in your everyday chores and holiday tasks.

Look. Watch. Wait.

The same thing Jesus does for us.

Jesus constantly looks out for our best interests and watches over our every concern. He waits to draw us into closer relationship, greater trust, and deeper faith. Stolen moments in the crush of the day. Precious minutes at His feet in the rush of the season. Day after day, silent night after silent night.

He looks, watches, and waits for you.

Action Points:

1. Look for Jesus today. Notice the blessings He sends your way and then look for ways to be a blessing to others.
2. Watch for Jesus today. What is He trying to say to you? What is He telling you? What does He want you to do differently this Christmas season?
3. Wait for Him. Jesus is calling you to rest in heavenly peace with Him. Tarry with Him for a few moments. Get your Bible, turn to Luke 2 and listen to the beautiful music below. Wait for Him to restore your soul.

How will you watch for Jesus today? How will you make time to wait for Him? Please leave a comment in the Comment section below on how you plan to watch for Jesus, or how you saw Him today.

Did you miss a day? Don’t fret, just click on a link below.

Day 1: Believe Him

Day 2: Make Room

Watch for Him.

SaveSave

At Christmas, our hearts turn to thoughts of Jesus.

We think of the newborn King swaddled in rough wool, laying in a manger. We ponder the cradle. But what about the cross?  What does cross have to do with Christmas?

‘Cross the continent,

Miles away, in the land of Persia, the Wise men readied supplies and treasures to cross over hazardous terrain to reach the feet of Jesus. Doubtlessly many troubles crossed their path as they journeyed to Bethlehem. Across  political lines and racial boundaries they trekked. Sacrifice, labor and love marked their journey as a star led them to the Light of the World.

‘Cross the town of Bethlehem,

the shepherds watched over their flocks in the fields and valleys.  Not a star, but angels crossed paths with the herdsmen.  The messengers of God heralded the Good News.  Through the silent night, the shepherds crossed the town in search of the tiny King.

‘Cross the wilderness,

Joseph led Mary to Bethlehem. The young couple couldn’t leave town quick enough.  Many believed they had crossed a line. But Joseph and Mary knew. They KNEW the One who called them. And they followed.

‘Cross the temple she saw them.

She saw Him. Even if her old eyes failed, the Spirit within her would have recognized HIM anywhere. Quickly, she crossed the courtyard of the temple. The aged and newborn. Cross generations of time, a widow meets her Savior.

The cradle. The cross. Christmas.

We can’t have one without the other.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Action Points

1. Cross the continent and pray for another nation this Christmas. Choose a nation that is in the news or go to Voice of the Martyrs and find a nation in need of prayer.  Like the Wisemen, how can you reach across the continent with the message Christmas?
2. Cross your town and share the love of Christ with those in need. Google search charitable organizations in your town such as Salvation Army,  Samaritans  or a local soup kitchen. Like the shepherds, how can you cross your town to share the love of Christ this holiday season?
3. Cross your church and look for the tired, the discouraged or the lonely. There are many walking wounded in our own congregations. Like Anna how can you reach across the pews of your church and share the love of our Savior this Christmas?

Merry Christmas.

All rights reserved.

Copyright 2016

Holidays or Holydays?

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.  Especially after a divisive election season (Let’s just quit talking about it already). There is a certain excitement, energy  and camaraderie around a national holiday. A common interest enables us to drop our animosity and connect to others. Hearts and hands working for a common cause.

But is  Christmas a holiday or a Holyday? What is the difference?

One letter.

i or y

That one letter makes a big difference.

Please take a minute and go there with me. In the middle of holiday is the letter I. I asks the following questions: What do I want? What do I get? What’s in this holiday for me, myself and I? Am I happy? Am I comfortable? Holiday centers on I.

Holyday, Holy day.

Holyday, on the other hand, asks a different set of questions …

Y?

Y, God, do love us so much?

Y did you send Jesus to tabernacle among us?

Y are You so good to us?

Y did you choose us to be your children?

Holyday centers us on God and His goodness.

Holiday is fun, but  it’s only skin deep. It appeals to the 5 senses but doesn’t make a deeper appeal to the heart.

Holidays	Holydays
Fun	Joy
Jolly	Jesus
Feasting	Fulfilling
Presents	Presence
Gifts	Grace

While I love the fun of holidays (the cookies, the parties, the caroling), I need the depth of Holydays to satisfy my heart and fill my spirit.

Do a little holiday experiment and listen to the Holiday/Holyday music below.

 

Now listen to Josh Groban’s version of O Holy Night.

Did you feel the difference? O Holy Night wrecks me every time I hear it. Can’t say the same about Jingle Bell Rock. Holidays are fun, but they need to be a part of the more important Holyday.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

What can you do to help your family put holy back into holiday?

1. Watch the Nativity Story with family or friends.
2. Take a night time walk through your neighborhood and pray for your neighbors.
3. Read the Christmas Story from the Gospel of Luke.
4. Make Christmas cookies and share them with a person who needs the love of Christ.
5. Click on the following link for more  ideas.  8 Ways to Center on Christ at Christmas

Let me know your ideas and thoughts by leaving a comment below.

Happy Holidays and Happy Holydays!

All rights reserved.

copyright 2016

Christmas To Do-ers List

Day 7: Serve Him

36 “Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

Luke 2:36-38

There are over 120 miracles recorded in the Bible. Memorable deeds, acts of bravery and great faith which are recorded for all eternity in God’s word: Moses parting of the Red Sea,  Peter walking on water, David slaying Goliath. Saints brought down walls, survived fiery furnaces, raised the dead and healed the sick.

There is one woman we must remember,

Anna the prophetess. Remember her miraculous deed for the Lord? I didn’t either at first. What did Anna do?

She fasted and she prayed.

For over eighty years, she lived in the temple and served God.  Eighty years of fasting, praying and serving?  That’s a miracle.

What did Anna pray about?

I imagine as Anna was constantly in the temple, she saw many people come with their sins and their sacrifices. Perhaps some with tears and anguish mingled on their faces.  It would not be unlikely to assume Anna watched and  prayed for these people as they worshiped.

I also think Anna spent much of her time praying for her nation and for the coming Savior. Because she was constantly in the presence of God, her heart was tender to His sudden appearing with His mother and father, Mary and Joseph.

No service is too small when you serve a great God.

Tweet This

The heroes of old listed above were blessed because they saw the hand of God in their circumstances. Anna, after a lifetime of service, was blessed to see the face of  God in her Savior Jesus.

Action Points:

1. Who needs a little help today? Perhaps an elderly neighbor needs help wrapping presents, baking cookies or shoveling snow. Be the hands of Jesus and serve a neighbor.
2. Who in your family needs a little help today? Does your spouse need help with a chore or their to-do list? Does another family member need encouragement? Be the hands of Jesus and serve your family.
3. Pray and ask Jesus to show you someone who needs help today. Be looking for opportunities to share the love of Christ. Be the hands of Jesus and serve a stranger.

Please comment on how you plan to serve other today.

Serve others by serving Him. Merry Christmas.

Please enjoy the Christmas music below.