ADVENT-Hope

ADVENT-Coming

Christmas is the season of hope. Children hope for the latest popular toy or game. Families hope that everyone can make it home for the holidays. But the hope that Christmas commemorates is much bigger than our holiday desires. JESUS, the “Desire of All Nations” (Hag. 2:7), HAS COME! He has “delivered us from the power of darkness,” bought our redemption, and forgiven our sins (Col. 1:13-14).Christ in us gives us the hope of glory. Praise God for the hope of Christmas!-From the pages of Our Daily Bread

In Part . . . In Full

 

 Scripture I Corinthians 13:12-13 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1st John 3:2 2 Corinthians 5:7

I Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace . . .

Observation A glimpse of the glory, strength, power, presence, peace, love, etc. . . . of God is what we experience now but one forever day we will see Him in full, in all His glory and majesty.

Application I would live seeking to draw nearer, know better my God and Father and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and look forward to that eternal day when I will know, see, experience Him in ALL His glory and majesty.

Prayer Thank You Jesus for opening the doors of heaven that I might know and experience Your presence both now, in part, and forever, in full.

An Eternal Inheritance

 

  Scripture   I Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Day Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,   to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Observation God, my gracious and merciful Father has purchased for me the gift of salvation and eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a gift that is imperishable, undefiled reserved in heaven and protected by His power through my faith in Him.

Application My faith and trust are in Christ alone for the gift of salvation and eternal life.

Prayer Father God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to do what only He could do in purchasing for me and all who would believe, the imperishable gift of salvation and eternal life. Thank You for making heaven my home.

Eternal Life

 

Scripture I Thessalonians 4:13-14 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

Observation/ Application  Those who believe Jesus rose from the dead will themselves have the gift of eternal life.

Prayer Thank You, Jesus, for paying the price so I could have the gift of eternal life.

NOW and ALWAYS

 

Scripture Psalms 71:5-7, 17-18 For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth. By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You. I have become as a wonder to many, but You are my strong refuge. O God, You have taught me from my youth; . . . and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.

Observation You, Lord God, have taken care of me all my days.

Application Lord God, my hope, strong refuge all of my days.

Payer  Father, thank You for always taking care of me. My trust is in You.

My Constant Helper

 Scripture Psalms 38:9-Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You.

Psalms 38:15-For in You, O Lord, (Ps. 39:7)I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.

Psalms 38:22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

Observation The Lord, my helper, my salvation, my hope, will hear when I call  out to Him.

Application I will cry out to the Lord; my Helper, Hope, Salvation and He will hear me.

Prayer Dear Lord, thank You for my salvation, thank for being my Hope and Helper, for always being there when I cry out to You.

A Doer of God's Word

 

Scripture

Numbers 1:54 Thus the children of Israel did; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so they did.

Acts 24:14-15 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

Observation The children of Israel did as God commanded and Paul worshipped God, believing in and being a follower/doer of His Word.

Application I, too, put my faith and trust in, and seek to be a doer of God’s Word.

Prayer Father, thank You for giving me access to Your Holy Word. I put my faith and trust in and seek to be not just a hearer/reader of Your Word, but a follower/doer.

Week Twelve Status 2011

And now, Lord, what do I wait for. My hope is in You.3/21 801am

Father, thank You for another day...may I be an encouragement to others and invest in things eternal.3/23 1258pm

A heart filled with praise brings pleasure to God.3/23 1057pm

Status Week Seventeen 2010

There is no limitation to what God can/will do with an obedient heart that's seeking Him and His will. God's grace is immeasurable: His mercy inexaustible: His peace inexpressible: His great love secured for us by the gift of His Son, Jesus. But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him. Psalms 37:39-40 "For as the rain comes down from heaven and does not return there...so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please." Isaiah 55:10-11 With all our modern conveniences and technology, at times like this we are humbled and reminded of Who is in control. Only One can cause the rain to fall and cease...Father, I look to You and pray...You know...we need You...help I pray. "For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth. By You I have been upheld from birth . . ." ~Psalm 71:5-6a Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified!" ~Psalm 70:4 There’s a longing in every heart that only Jesus can satisfy.

Status Week Sixteen 2010-Psalms

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge . . . Psalm 57:1

Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain you: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. ~Psalm 55:22

The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me- A prayer to the God of my life. ~Psalm 42:8

Let all those who seek You, rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, "The LORD be magnified!" ~Psalm 40:16

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD. ~Psalm 31:24

The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. -Psalm 29:11

Lord Jesus, help me to truly lay down my life and allow You to work through me. Help me to live each moment dependent on You and trusting in You.