Posts Tagged ‘ Daniel Klem ’

Advent 2022 – Day 16: Matthew 2:3-5

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet

Matthew 2:3-5, 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.

But God was not willing to leave us mired in our sin.

God came to us, born as an infant, weak, physically powerless, yet without sin.

And wise men came to see this miracle, to give honor and gifts.

Most people miss that our Lord has come to be with us as one of us.

We often still ignore Him.

Yet, God came to us, showing us that even in our ignorance He comes after us.

We may not have much to offer but our sin, and maybe we have great wealth and/or skills to give, but only the wisest seek God who has come.

May we seek the Lord who grants wisdom to the lowly and grace to the humble.

VerseD: 1 John 4:15

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

1 John 4:15, ESV

We must acknowledge that Jesus is the second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God who is God, or we do not have God in our life.

Advent 2022 – Day 15: Matthew 2:1-2

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:1-2, 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.

But God was not willing to leave us mired in our sin.

God came to us, born as an infant, weak, physically powerless, yet without sin.

And wise men came to see this miracle, to give honor and gifts.

Most people miss that our Lord has come to be with us as one of us.

We often still ignore Him.

Yet, God came to us, showing us that even in our ignorance He comes after us.

We may not have much to offer but our sin, and maybe we have great wealth and/or skills to give, but only the wisest seek God who has come.

May we seek the Lord who grants wisdom to the lowly and grace to the humble.

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.

VerseD: Matthew 7:7

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Matthew 7:7, ESV

Our Ggod has given us everything we need to change our world: Himself. Through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Let us seek Him, and ask for His power to move through us to bring the Kingdom of heaven to earth.

VerseD: Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2, ESV

We want to change the world, but God calls us to start with our own hearts and minds, seeking His heart and mind in our lives.

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.

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.

VerseD: Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33, ESV

We want to change the world, but it only happens when we seek the kingdom and righteousness of God in our own life and let Him move through us.

VerseD: Ephesians 6:18

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints

Ephesians 6:18, ESV

We help change the world when we start in prayer to our Lord and lift up all who share the gospel. (Which should be all of us!)