Longing for Jesus' Arrival

Advent Series – Part 4

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

- Luke 2:25-38

Never The Same Again - Part 2

Advent Series – Part 3

“And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,  47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,  48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;  49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.  50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.  51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;  52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;  53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.  54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,  55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."  56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.” 

- Luke 1:46-56  

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.  8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.  10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.  11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

- Luke 2:7-11

Never The Same Again

Advent Series – Part 2

“And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,  47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,  48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;  49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.  50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.  51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;  52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;  53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.  54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,  55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."  56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.” 

- Luke 1:46-56

The Light Invades The Darkness

Advent Series – Part 1

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.”
- Isaiah 9:2

“1:5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea… 2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.  4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,  5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.”
- Luke 1:5, 2:1-5

Praying: "O Lord Thank you"

Prayer From God Series – Part 6

“Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying, "I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. 3 For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. 4 Then I said, 'I am driven away from your sight; Yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.' 5 The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head 6 at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. 7 When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. 8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love (grace). 9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!" 10 And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.”                

- Jonah 2:1-10

Praying: "O Lord Help me"

Prayer From God Series – Part 5

“And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.  22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon."  23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying out after us."  24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."  25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me."  26 And he answered, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."  27 She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."  28 Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.”

- Matthew 15:21-28

We are Ambassadors of Christ!

“And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.  19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”  21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Praying: "O God I Know You Are For Me"

Prayer From God Series – Part 4

“TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO THE DOVE ON FAR-OFF TEREBINTHS. A MIKTAM OF DAVID, WHEN THE PHILISTINES SEIZED HIM IN GATH. Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me;  2 my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly.  3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?  5 All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil.  6 They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life.  7 For their crime will they escape? In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!  8 You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?  9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me.  10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,  11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?  12 I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you.  13 For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.”

- Psalm 56:1-13