Advent Lectionary
Readings
Isaiah 11:1-9
Numbers 16:1-19
Hebrews 13:7-17
Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all
the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be
attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not
from rules about food, which don't help those who follow them. We have an altar
from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat. Under the old
system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a
sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp.
So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy
by means of his own blood. So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear
the disgrace he bore. For this world is not our permanent home; we are
looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through
Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance
to his name. And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These
are the sacrifices that please God. Obey your spiritual leaders, and do
what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable
to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would
certainly not be for your benefit. Hebrews
13:7-17
Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Who have been those leaders in your life? Have you been
obedient to their direction—commands—teachings? Are you a spiritual leader for someone? Is Jesus your
ultimate teacher and leader? He should be if He is your Lord and Savior—if you
are putting Him first in your life. I consider Him to be the focus of my life—I
choose to consider “what would Jesus do” when I have choices to make. There are
so many times that circumstances, prior commitments, and responsibilities
control my day…but there are always choices.
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| The Pacific Ocean - along the Oregon Coast. Will there be an ocean in Heaven? God created the oceans here on earth. Praise Him. |
There is security in
knowing that…Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today, and forever. So I should not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Knowing that Jesus does
not change His mind…and know that He will keep His promises gives me peace and
strength. I know—because He promised—that He will never leave me or forsake me.
That is a promise I claim and to which I cling. I love the assurance that the
author of Hebrews also gives us…For this
world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
That mansion in heaven that has many rooms is going to be wonderful! We don’t
know what our heavenly home will be like—but we know that the streets will be
paved with gold (Revelation 21:21) so we can imagine that it will be glorious!
With the assurance of
a heavenly home we can continually offer a sacrifice of praise and loyalty to
the Lord God. During Christmas it is easy to sing praises with so many
wonderful Christmas carols being played in homes, on the radio and in stores wherever
we go. When there is not music do you have a song of praise in your head? I do.
The seasonal songs are continually replaying in my head—and with those I choose
to praise the Lord.
Prayer ~ Thank You God
that we can make our own choices… and hear Your voice teaching us. We so look
forward to walking those streets of gold and rejoicing with You. Joy and
contentment. Those are my choices for today. Help me to spread Your JOY to
everyone I meet today. I am content in all things. I need only more of You.
Daily Bible Reading:
Philippians
Advent Random Act of
Kindness - Send Thank You notes to the homes with the best Christmas lights.
Only
8 Days Until Christmas
© 2018 photo and
text by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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