Archive for the ‘ Advent ’ Category

Advent 2022 – Day 14: Isaiah 40:21-22

Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in

Isaiah 40:21-22, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

We think that our sin will go unnoticed by God, that there isn’t really anything He can do against us.

We think that God is impotent, powerless, and unable to hold us accountable for our sin. This is evidenced in the way we live, how we talk, what we do, ignoring His ways, saying “He’ll forgive me” or “I can do what I want.”

But this is the God who can create everything from nothing, hold everything together and within His hands, and stretches out the univers with those same hands.

Yes, we are basically nothing compared to Him, but God intimately knows every part of His Creation, from the farthest flung stars to our innermost thoughts.

He knows how the cosmos work, and He knows our every sin, our every rebellion against Him.

Yet, God came to us, showing usthat He is a personal and loving Creator, becoming like one of us to show His might over even our rebellion and sin.

We therefore prepare ourselves by admitting we don’t understand as much as we think we do, turning to our Creator and Savior who became our example and demonstrated His vast power over our own vast stubbornness.

May we seek the Lord who has no reason to consider us, yet He still lavishes His love and grace on and in us.

2022
12/10
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Advent
Bible
Doctrine
Gospel
Holidays
Lifestyle
TAGS






























Leave a comment

Advent 2022 – Day 13: Isaiah 40:15-17

Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.

Isaiah 40:15-17, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

We think that our sin is basically nothing, but we are so good and important.

Our sin is greater than we think, having separated us from the God of the universe.

Even our scientists can see and admit that on our little planet in this vast universe we are insignificant, our planet comparable to an electron in an atom.

Compared to God, we are even smaller, still thinking we can do anything that can appease His wrath for our sin.

Our planet barely registers as dust on the scales of God’s justice.

We are like nothing.

Yet, God came to us, showing us the depth of His grace and love, becoming like one of us on this dust mite of a planet.

We therefore prepare ourselves by admitting we don’t understand as much as we think we do, turning to our Creator and Savior who makes us worthy.

May we seek the Lord who has no reason to consider us, yet He still loves us and saves us.

2022
12/09
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Advent
Bible
Doctrine
Gospel
Holidays
Lifestyle
TAGS
























Leave a comment

Advent 2022 – Day 12: Isaiah 40:13-14

Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?

Isaiah 40:13-14, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

Sin is rebellion against the character of God.

And we think we can tell God what is good? What justice and goodness are? That we know better what God’s character and will are?

Who do we think we are? Why do we think we understand God’s creation and character better than He does when He has revealed it through HisbWord by His prophets and apostles?

And this is what the prophets, including John the Baptist, were telling us.

“Repent! Stop your foolish thinking, and turn from your sin! The kingdom of God is at hand, and you think you can judge your Creator? Prepare for His coming, now!”

But we still try to justify our sin, correct God on His justice, and fix His revelation.

Yet, God came to us, showing us the depth of our misunderstanding of sin, revealing His character in person, and taking on Himself the justice we deserved.

We therefore prepare ourselves by admitting we don’t understand as much as we think we do, turning to the Word and trusting the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of Christ to us.

May we seek the Lord who took on the just punishment we deserved, preparing ourselves by seeking His revelation.

2022
12/08
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Advent
Bible
Doctrine
Gospel
Holidays
Lifestyle
TAGS




















1 comment

Advent 2022 – Day 11: Isaiah 40:10-11

Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Isaiah 40:10-11, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

We have cut ourselves off from God, run from Him in our rebellion, and chosen to ignore Him.

Yet He has prepared this world for Himself, prophesying He would come for us and what it would look like, and He put it into writing through the prophets who spoke for Him.

And although we have done everything to push Him away, He has come after us.

We have kicked and screamed, run and hid, and complained and whined against God.

Yet, God came to us, comforting us amidst our sin and redeeming us from that sin.

He left the comforts of heaven to personally prepare us for Himself. He spoke through the Prophets, and John pointed us to Him, but He also came to this wilderness of a world to seek His lost sheep and draw them near.

He is strong enough to save us and hold us safely and securely.

May we seek the Lord who gives us confort, preparing ourselves by seeking His mighty and safe arms.

2022
12/07
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Advent
Bible
Doctrine
Gospel
Holidays
Lifestyle
TAGS























Leave a comment

Advent 2022 – Day 10: Isaiah 40:6-8

A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Isaiah 40:6-8, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

Sin is the act of willfully separating from God, putting something between God and ourselves, weakening ourselves from the inside out as we cut ourselves off from the source of life.

And God will let us have what we want. (Romans 1:20-32)

Therefore, we internally die continually, and the only hope is a long life to stave off the eternal death and suffering.

All because we choose our sin over God and His Word.

Yet, God came to us, breathing out His Word and His Spirit to give us new life through His death and resurrection.

We therefore prepare ourselves by investigating His eternal Word through reading the Scriptures and trusting in the Son.

We may still suffer in this world, but we have the hope of eternal life in New bodies with our Lord forever.

May we seek the Lord who gives us life, preparing ourselves by seeking His Word.

2022
12/06
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Advent
Bible
Doctrine
Gospel
Holidays
Lifestyle
TAGS




























3 comments

Advent 2022 – Day 9: Isaiah 40:3-4

A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.

Isaiah 40:3-4, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

The sin we all commit and have committed have left rocks in our path that we trip over, created potholes that we stumble in, and knocked down debris that block our way and push us to different paths.

The Prophets of old worked to prepare people for God.

John was born to begin preparing hearts for the coming Messiah, claiming he was the fulfillment of this passage. (Matthew 3:1-3; Luke 3:1-5)

The Baptizer called us to repent, to change our thinking and actions, to prepare for our Savior.

We still struggle to be clean and clear, to obey and love.

Yet, God came to us, He comforts our souls and does the initial work of removing those rocks, filling the potholes, and moving debris from our way.

We can prepare ourselves by seeking our Creator and Savior who is capable of leveling out our lives, knowing that only in Him is it completely possible.

We will still stumble and deal with consequences for our sins, but the way is made easier in Christ.

May we seek the Lord who helps us, preparing ourselves by seeking His path.

2022
12/05
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Advent
Bible
Doctrine
Gospel
Holidays
Lifestyle
TAGS

















1 comment

Advent 2022 – Day 8: Isaiah 40:1-2

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

Isaiah 40:1-2, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

The pain those sins have caused have made this world and much of our lives dark and burdensome.

We have hurt ourselves and each other as we have ignored and run from God.

We have caused so much pain and grief to ourselves and each other as we acted selfishly and without regard for others.

Yet, God offers us comfort for our souls if we merely turn to Him, seeking His goodwill and grace.

We can prepare ourselves by beginning to look at our own wickedness and need for forgiveness.

We can prepare ourselves by seeking our Creator and Savior who is capable of removing our burdens and sins.

May we seek the Lord who offers His comfort, preparing ourselves by seeking His truth.

2022
12/04
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Advent
Bible
Doctrine
Gospel
Holidays
Lifestyle
TAGS


















Leave a comment

Advent 2022 – Day 7: Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:6-7, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

We may do horrible things to ourselves, to each other, and against God.

We tend to commit so many injustices against each other, to seek manufactured kindness and perceived justice that still harms others, even intentionally.

Yet, God came to show us His kindness, the depths of His justice and love, using our horribleness and injustice to redeem us as our Savior and King.

His Kingdom is growing in this world, but there is still much work to be done.

Our mighty God is destroying strongholds and bringing peace to individuals and groups.

He became one of us here onthe earth, being born in the natural way, but He is currently reigning from Heaven. He has sent His Counselor to live in and through us to spread His rule across the globe and time.

We have failed time and again, yet He works in and through us – the redeemed of the Lord – to bring about righteousness.

So we do not lose heart in this broken and wicked world, rather we join with our Lord in zealously seeking those whom will be saved and ushering in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

May we seek the Lord who works in us to spread His kindness and grace and justice.

2022
12/03
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Advent
Bible
Doctrine
Gospel
Holidays
Lifestyle
TAGS

























3 comments

Advent 2022 – Day 6: Isaiah 9:17

Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over their young men, and has no compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is godless and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.

Isaiah 9:17, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

We do horrible things to ourselves, to each other, and against God.

We don’t seek God, but instead we think we know better than He does.

We even accuse Him of evil and being a moral monster for not doing things the way we think He should.

As a whole, we have turned from God and chosen to do our own thing far more than we have chosen Him and His ways.

Look at history and see how much we have rebelled against God and hurt each other, through cults, tyranny, bullying, murder, war, and so many other horrible things.

Because “we know better.”

If we are ignoring God and His commands, why should He care for us? If we want nothing to do with Him, why should He be kind to us?

Yet, God came to show us His kindness, mercy, and grace, forgiving us for our rebellion if we believe in the work of the cross of Christ.

May we seek the Lord who has given us kindness and grace because of His great love for us.

2022
12/02
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Advent
Bible
Doctrine
Holidays
Lifestyle
TAGS














Leave a comment

Advent 2022 – Day 5: Isaiah 9:16

for those who guide this people have been leading them astray, and those who are guided by them are swallowed up.

Isaiah 9:16, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

We do horrible things to ourselves, to each other, and against God.

We want to hear about the good things in this world and that good things will come to us.

We want to surround ourselves with people who will tell is what we want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

And there are people who are willing to tell us those happy things, saying many of the right things while also ignoring or omitting the things that don’t sound as good.

In other words, there are teachers willing to teach what others want to benefit themselves. (1 Timothy 6:3-10; 2 Timothy 3:1-9)

But this is not new. Many of the prophets and priests of Israel had done that for centuries (which is something Isaiah is talking about), and it clearly stretches throughout history.

The religious leadership added rules to or new interpretations of God’s Word. Balaam accepted money to speak and fight against Israel (even if he still only spoke blessings). All the way back to the beginning, the serpent twisted God’s Word to “help” people be more like God.

And we have allowed ourselves to be consumed with selfish lies.

Yet, God came to give us the truth and lead us back from false teachings by revealing Himself as the Truth.

May we seek the Lord who has given us truth through His Word (The Bible) and His life, death, and resurrection.

2022
12/01
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Advent
Bible
Doctrine
Holidays
Lifestyle
TAGS














2 comments