Advent 2021 Day 1

As we have considered over the past few years Advent is the arrival of a notable person, event, or thing. Advent then, for the disciple of Christ, represents a season of hopeful waiting and expectation.  This year I want to challenge us to collaboratively focus on God’s promises to us fulfilled through Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection. As we will clearly, see for the follower of Jesus all the promises of God find the answer of “yes” in Christ Jesus.  Over 2,000 years ago a small group waited with great anticipation for God’s promises.  I believe God desires growth, blessing, and a renewed dose of His favor for us this holiday season if we will seek and be willing to trust Him.    

As in years past we are going to light a candle during our weekly corporate gatherings each Sunday leading up to Christmas.  With the lighting of each candle, we will be reminded of two things.  First will be the faithfulness of God in past days.  The second will be His promises for us in the days to come. 

God made promises long before Christ Jesus was born and through the ages He has been at work to offer hope and provision for men and women’s wrongs through the powerful corrective work of Christ and His cross.  This advent season I challenge you to spend 25 consecutive days in the scripture.  The suggested daily outlines and readings below will aid, unify, and encourage our church through God’s Word.  As you will see, the daily readings will be a mixture of Old and New Testament texts focused on the fulfilled promise of joy that is Christ Jesus. As in years past I encourage you to ask our Lord to either begin, renew, or reinvigorate an expectant and anticipatory heart in you and your home for Christ.  The opportunity and challenge is now set.  I look forward to our time together this Advent season.

Pastor Corey          

Advent 2021 Daily Devotions 

For 25 days we will be considering a section of scripture for each day.  Each scripture is similar in that either a form of the word or the idea of promise will be in focus.  Each day I encourage you to pray at least twice.  Pray first for God to allow you to see, feel, and truly understand the promise God offers to you though Christ Jesus.  Then after some time reading and in contemplation of the daily reading pray a second time for God’s living Word of promise to be both truly believed and then lived out through your life 

December 1st

Wednesday - 2 Corinthians

It was early in the days of Laura and my marriage that I learned something important - I should not make a promise.  I had never lied to Laura but one day I made a promise that due to my fault in estimation I could not keep.  I had good intentions, but my efforts fell short and therefore my promise made was broken.

The ability men and women must have to keep a promise is directly lined up with the strength, abilities, and resources they have and this a problem because we are not all knowing, we are not all powerful, and we are not all able.  As we will see throughout the Bible this Advent season God in contrast has no limits and has proven from the beginning of time that because He is truth, He knows all, and has all power His promises will occur.

The apostle Paul brings the reality of God’s promise and its source into focus in his second letter to the church in Corinth.  This has been a verse of great importance for me this past year and the verse we will build upon over the next 25 days.  Speaking of Jesus Paul simply writes that “everyone of God’s promises is “Yes” in Him”.  

I challenge you now to think about Paul’s words.  As you do so in prayer ask God to help you to grow in trust and clearer understanding of His promises.  Thank Him that through the birth of His Son you have not only the promise of salvation but so many others that will not be broken.  

This Advent season I want to challenge you to constantly evaluate this question.  

____________ is my reason for doing this or that.  

As we are going to see, God on that first Christmas season gave the gift of all gifts.  God provided for humanity both a reason and the resource needed for any element of life.  All His promises both in the past and still to come find “yes” singularly in Christ.  This leaves us then with both a hope and also a challenge.  Is Jesus and His leading our reason for action?  Is Jesus and His leading our motive for movement? Is Jesus and His leading a constant focus?  If not then let's be honest to evaluate before the Lord the promises we are building the days we have been given upon and allow Him to mold our hearts in better alignment to His.          

“For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in Him.”  2 Corinthians 1:20 CSB