Christmas Day: Jesus is the awaited Messiah and Savior

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, The Lord.  

Luke 2:11

Today is it.  We celebrate Jesus and the greatest gift every given.  Despite all the chaos and stress, Christmas comes and goes.  The way I make the most of it is where I put my focus.  It could be on hosting dinner, finding the perfect gift, attending a record number of church services or it could be on Jesus.  I will never give or receive any better and greater gift than that baby born to a virgin in a barn 2000+ years ago.  He is the True Reason for our celebration.

Jesus was born to die for us.  He is the Lamb of God to pay the price for all of our sins.  He is the Messiah, the long awaited one.  He fulfilled many scripture prophecies that night He was born.  All of Heaven was waiting and rejoicing.  What a sight that would've been to be a shepherd when the heavenly hosts were praising God.  We will see that one day :)

Is Jesus the One you have been waiting for in your life?  Is He your personal Savior?  Run to Him because He will open His arms in love and receive you.  How will you praise Him for saving each one of us?  What words of worship will you offer Him on this Christmas Day?

Merry Christmas and Enjoy the Day with your family celebrating our Lord!!!

In His Love,

A

Christmas Eve, The last and 26th Day of Advent: Jesus is Emmanuel

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel. 

Isaiah 7:14

Today is THE day before THE BIG DAY.  Tomorrow we celebrate Jesus' birth, but today is the last day to prepare our hearts.  Emmanuel or Immanuel (Greek vs. Hebrew spelling) means God with us.  Literally Jesus is God walking among the humans.  He didn't leave alone all those years ago.  We are now anointed or given the Holy Spirit to live inside of us.  He is the third Person of the Trinity and is just as much God as Jesus and God the Father.  

We experience God with us every moment of very day, no matter what we are doing!! How wonderful and awesome is that?!  Will you offer up some praise, thanksgiving and worship?  In what ways is God with you today and this season of your life?

I have tomorrow's post scheduled so I can unplug from social media and focus on Jesus and my family :)

Merry Christmas!!

In His Love,

A

25th Day of Advent: Jesus is King of kings

 

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"They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers."

Revelation 17:14

It's Christmas Eve Eve.  In two days we will be celebrating the King who was born as a baby in a dirty stable.  This year is even more special for me because I am studying Revelation at BSF.  We have seen His glory and majesty as He sits on the throne in Heaven.  I can see what He left for us, so that we could experience it forever with Him.   

There is no other King like Him.  He rules over all other kings, humans, animals: all of creation.  But He isn't a ruthless King but loving and gentle.  He is the best King we could ever ask for.  One who laid down His life to pay the price His subjects couldn't.  

So this year when you look at that manger scene, will you see the babe as a King?  The One who holds the power to open the scroll of God.  The One who had all the glory in Heaven, yet left it so that He could save you.  How will you worship Him as the days are dwindling to Christmas Day?  What words of praise will you savor these next couple of days as you reflect on His majesty and grace?

In His Love,

A

24th Day of Advent: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

Jesus answered them, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." 

John 14:6

Today's "name" of Jesus is very similar to Him as the Gate, because He is the Way to Heaven.  But today we add more.  He is not only the Way but also the Truth and the Life.  He gave His life as a sacrifice so that we are not bound by these human, mortal lives but so we could have eternal life with Him forever and ever!! 

Do you allow Jesus to guide your way in life?  Is He the Truth on which you stand?  Have you found eternal life in Him?  These are questions that are invoked by this attribute of Jesus.  How can you praise Him today because He provided a Way when we couldn't?  Does it take a burden off your shoulders?  Can you feel the peace that only He provides?   

Today is short and sweet but reflect on how you allow Jesus to play a role in your life, if He even does.

In His Love,

A 

23rd Day of Advent: Jesus is the Gate

 

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"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.  He will come in and go out, and find pasture."

John 10:9

How Jesus be a Gate?  Where are we entering that we need to go through Him?  The answer: Heaven.  There is only One Way to Heaven and it's through Jesus.  What does that mean?  We need to believe in Him as our Savior.  We cannot save ourselves.  No amount of good deeds will outweigh all the bad ones.  The entrance to Heaven also cannot be earned.  God gives it to us freely by grace, but we must believe.  If we are in Jesus, meaning we have confessed with our mouths, Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts that He was raised from the dead by God, we are saved (Paraphrase Romans 10:9).  That's the entrance fee to Heaven.  

Jesus is standing as the Gate, waiting for you to come.  Run to Him and make that confession because what is waiting for us there is not only eternal life but eternal worship of our Creator and Savior.  That is the hope we have to hold onto in this world.  It is also the Power, Truth, and Reason we celebrate this week.  Jesus' birth provided the perfect human life that could take on the sins of the world while His infinite and eternal Godly nature could take them on for everyone.  His birth gave way to His death, so that we could live forever and ever with Him in Heaven.  

How will you worship Him knowing that He was born to die and be the Gate for your entrance into Heaven?  Do you acknowledge Him as the Gate?  What words of praise can you offer Him this morning as you reflect on Him as the reason for our Christmas celebrations?

In His Love,

A

4th Sunday of Advent: Jesus is the Mediator

"to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant"

Hebrews 12:24

As I wrote yesterday, our sinful selves cannot be near a Holy God.  Before Jesus died for us, The Old Testament Era, the people who go to the priests of the temple to offer prayers and offerings to God.  Only the priests could interceed on behalf of the people.  They would offer daily, monthly, yearly sacrifices.  There would be sin sacrfices, grain offerings, and many more (See Leviticus).  They constantly needed to be cleansing the people because on our own we cannot stay clean from sin.  

But enter Jesus as the Ultimate High Priest (yesterday's post!), who was able to offer One Sacrifice that paid for all sins.  He is now the new Mediator or Interceeder between us and God.  However, He is God!  Therefore, we no longer have a broken relationship with God the Father because we can go to Him through Jesus, the Son of God. 

There is a new covenant, or promise with Jesus as the Mediator of it.  The promise is eternal life for all who believe that Jesus died to pay for their sins and allow Him to be Lord of their life!! 

How will you worship Him on this last Sunday of Advent?  Do you recognize that Jesus is the Way to God the Father?  How will you make Him the Interceeder of your life?  Do you need to mediate relationships at home, school, work or with friends?  He will help us in every part of our lives if we just ask :)

In His Love,

A

21st Day of Advent: Jesus is the High Priest

 

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"For this reason He had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, and that He might might make atonement for the sins of the people."

Hebrews 2:17

The image that I found is really powerful to see Jesus in the Priest's clothes standing before the Ark of God offering a sacrifice.  That desires mighty worship this evening!!  Not only is Jesus the Sacrifice but also the only One who can present the Sacrifice (Himself) to God (who is also Himself) #astonished.  Jesus didn't enter the earthy temple to present the sin sacrifice of Himself, but the Heavenly tabernacle (Hebrews 8:5) which paid the penalty (death) for all sins for every person who have every lived and will live #astonishedagain (Hebrews 7:25).  

Jesus is our High Priest for every and every.  The One who is able to go to God on our behalf.  How awesome is that?!  Since our sinful selves could not approach a Holy God, He fixed that by giving up His Glory in Heaven to become human and save us!! How can you praise Him tonight for that?  Will you dig deeper into scripture to find more about high priests so that you can understand the role that Jesus plays?  Join me in lifting up your voice in prayer and adoration tonight that Jesus as the High Priest and Atonement Sacrifice has washed us new from our sins!! 

In His Love,

A

p.s. Jesus duality nature shows up again as the One who is the Sacrifice yet offers it up as well :D

Jesus is Lord! 20th Day of Advent

 

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"Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 2:9-11

Hearts eyes all day long!! This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible because I long for this day.  So many days I just wish everyone around me would surrender their lives to Jesus becasue we would truely have world peace, peace that is everlasting and from Him.  I can't change hearts, only God can.  I can live a life that points to Jesus though.  I can confess with my tongue that He is Lord and have the hope that this day will happen in His timing.  That I guess is good enough ;) 

Jesus wasn't just a prophet, teacher or good man who taught us to love each other.  He is the Son of God.  He is Lord of All.  When you see that little baby in the manger this week, remember He left all His glory behind in Heaven to come down to Earth and save you.  That's the Christmas message.  

Who in your life needs that reminder this Christmas Season?  How can you deeper your relationship with Jesus if you allow Him to be Lord of your life?  He will if you ask Him.  Daily (and some days I forget) to give Him the reigns to allow His work to be shown instead of my own.  What form of worship will you give Him today as He is Lord of All?!

In His Love,

A

19th Day of Advent: Jesus is the Firstborn from the Dead

"and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth."

Revelation 1:5

Ahhhhh this is one of my new favorite names for Jesus.  You may be thinking what does this mean?  After Jesus died on the cross, He didn't stay dead.  Three days after His crucifixion, He rose from the dead, not just as a Spirit but with a body, a resurrection body.  He is the First to be resurrection and reunited with His body.  Who are going to be the others?  US. You, me and every other believer.  One day we will be reunited with our bodies and they will be awesome bodies.  Jesus could talk, walk, eat, but also go through walls!  There will be no disease, aches, pains or brokenness in this new body.  This day will happen after the Final Judgment of the Earth and God remakes the new Heaven and the new Earth (1 Corinthians 15 and Revelation 21).  

But there is more!  Jesus was the First because when God gave Israel the command to give the sacrifices and offerings in the Temple (Exodus 23:19), He wanted the first fruits or the best of the people's crops, animals, time, and money.  Jesus is the best human being ever, so of course He is the First Fruit offered!!!!!!!! 

So what hope does it give you that one day your body will be perfected?  Do you offer God your best?  I know that I surely don't all the time.  I don't want to give Him the leftovers, but the first minutes of my day, the first dollars of my paycheck, the first opportunities for service.   Where in you life do you need to make Jesus first?

In His Love,

A

Jesus is the Rightheous One on the 18th Day of Advent

 

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"You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murder be released to you."

Acts 3:14

Righteous.  A word that can never describe us as humans.  We are sinners.  We can never be right with God on our own.  Once we believe that Jesus saved us from the penalty of sin, we are washed by His blood, meaning all of our sins are wiped away.  Gone forever.  We are a clean vessel to serve God.  We are now in a right relationship with God.  Through Jesus' righteousness we are made righteous!!

How awesome is that?!  All we have to do is believe and say "yes" to God.  Have you taken that first step and asked God to be part of your life and given your life over to Him?  You can go anytime to Him and ask for forgiveness and He will respond with a loving embrace.  Even if you are already His, we need to be regularly cleansed from the filth that infests our hearts.  

How will you praise Jesus because He has made you right with God?  We can have a real and personal relationship now because God sees us through the lens of Jesus, the Pure and Holy One.  Therefore, God sees us as pure, holy, and righteous.  Can I get an Amen?!  THAT deserves praise and worship from the rooftops.

In His Love,

A

17th Day of Advent: Jesus is the Bridegroom!!

 

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"The bride belongs to the bridegroom.  The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice.  That joy is mine, and it is now complete."

John 3:29

The imagery of the Church as the bride of Christ isn't anything new to me.  However, it wasn't until the song "Even So Come" by Kristian Stanfill that it hit me hard.  Take a minute and check it out if you haven't heard it yet! 

Each one of us is the bride of Jesus, but also collectively as a Church.  He has a personal relationship yet a communal one at the same time.  It is even more meaningful to me in this season of my life as all my friends are marrying.  I want to be Jesus' bride before I can be any man's bride.  I want to see Him as the True Love of my life before anyone else.  I will worship Him only and not my spouse or the desire to be married or love. 

I cannot wait for the day here on Earth where I will get to wear a white dress and walk down the aisle toward a man who is ready to profess his love to me and we will be together forever.  However, that is just a shadow of the day where I will wear white robes signifying my righteousness and purity, walking towards the One who has loved me my whole life and I will spend eternity with Him.  Even if the first day never comes for me, I have the hope that the second one will come no matter what!

Have you ever seen Jesus as the Bridegroom of your life?  Who do you worship or devote all your time to?  When I sing that song, it resonates in the depths of my soul, is there a song that does that for you?  Do you regularly sing it to Him?  How can you take time to worship, the One who longs for your heart?  He is the ultimate Bridegroom, so let us wait for Him!! 

In His Love,

A

16th Day of Advent: Jesus is the Living One

 

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"I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!"

Revelation 1:18 

When Jesus died on the cross, the whole world shook (Matthew 27:54), it certainly wasn't the death of an ordinary human.  He was the only unique One that is both Human and God.  Therefore, although He died a real death and bled real blood, only His body died.  His Spirit did not die because He is also the eternal God.  Three days after His death, His body rose from the tomb and was made new.  This is a foreshadow of what will happen to our bodies one day :) 

Anyways, Jesus is ALIVE and living in Heaven.  John saw Him there during the visions he saw that he recorded in the book of Revelation.  He is not dead.  He is working in our lives and in this world.  We just may not see Him due to our lack of faith or belief that He doesn't care. 

Why is it significant that we serve a living God?  How is God alive in your life?  Does the Holy Spirit inside of you make you feel more alive?  I know that when He came to live in, I felt more alive, like my life was significant and worthy.  He can do that for you too!  All you have to do is ask :) 

In His Love,

A

3rd Sunday of Advent: Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega

 

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"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." 

Revelation 1:8

Alpha and Omega.  They are the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet, so translated to English Jesus is A and Z.  He is the Beginning and the End.  I love to think about that because just a few days ago I wrote about Jesus as Creator and Judge.  He was in the beginning as Creator and will be at the end of times as Judge.  He is part of and in everything.  

What words of praise can you offer Him for revealing such completeness about Himself?  In this scripture, He also reveals His eternal nature, which intertwines with His infinite nature of beginning and end.  Does it comfort you that He is the beginning and the end?  How has your praise for Him increased this Advent season?

In His Love,

A 

  

14th Day of Advent: Jesus is the Lion of Judah

 

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Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.  He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."

Revelation 5:5

Jesus is not only a Lamb but also a mighty Lion.  That's the duality of His nature has God: gentle yet powerful, slain but alive, sacrifice and priest.  In Revelation, Jesus is the One who comes and is able to open the scroll of God or His Plan of future events.  Only Jesus has the authority to reveal what is going to happen.  The fact that He is called the Lion of Judah refers back to Israel's (Judah's father) blessing in Genesis 49:9 which alluded to the Messiah being from the Tribe of Judah.  Jesus has human, earthly, tangible, traceable ancestor.  Jesus is fully man.  This is proof.

He is also called the Lion because they are fierce animals.  Jesus has fierce love for us.  He is powerful and mighty, yet He cares for and protects His own, like a lion would a pride.  How does this make you appreciate His love for you?  Can you picture Jesus as a Lion and a Lamb?  Does it impact your life that Jesus has triumphed and given authority to open God's plan for Judgment and the end times?  

If Jesus has triumphed, that means if we believe in Him and put our whole trust in Him, then we have already won!  Will you give everything over to Him and praise Him for His triumphant entrance into the Throne Room of God to open the Scroll (Revelation 5)? 

In His Love,

A

13th Day of Advent: Jesus is the Word

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.....The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."

John 1:1,14a

Can you believe that we are half way through Advent? Christmas is in two weeks!! I was reminded this morning that I need to keep my focus on the true and real reason we celebrate: Jesus.  God sent Jesus to earth to be born as a human.  He was quite literally The Word of God.  Since He was God, He spoke and preached The Truth without consulting the Bible.

Jesus is usually the one Word that I speak when I am scared or need to readjust my focus.  Just the other night I woke up from a nightmare saying His name and was instantly comforted.  How has Jesus spoken The Word, the living, breathing Truth of God, into your life?  How can you praise Him for being The Word that is eternal, everlasting, and tabernacled with us?

In His Love,

A

  

12th Day of Advent: Jesus is the Redeemer

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us."

Galatians 3:13a

We have been redeemed or bought back by the blood of Christ.  He is our Redeemer.  His blood was pure and sinless, so His sacrifice on the cross was sufficient to take away the wrath of God that is due to all of us.  Also since He was fully God, His eternal and infinite nature, was able to pay for every sin of every believer.  

How has being redeemed and set right with God changed your life?  In what way do you thank Jesus for redeeming you: Pledging your whole heart and life to him? Praising Him daily? Think of the magnitude of this gift and respond!! In your prayer time today, what words of worship can you offer to show your gratitude for redemption?

In His Love,

A

On the 11th Day of Advent Jesus is our Prince of Peace

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

Peace is something we all desperately need at all times of the year but especially now.  We are rushing around not savoring the meaning of this season: the celebration of God's gift to us.  We have received the most important gift of all: Salvation!!  Jesus came down to save us, why do we overlook this fact every year?  What is robing you of your peace?  Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  His peace can be never taken away from us.  When we feel robbed of peace, that is the false imitation of worldly peace that we feel gone.  

This is one attribute that I continuously praise Jesus for this season, but I don't feel very at peace but quite the opposite.  Daily I need to exchange my version of peace for Jesus' True Peace.  How are you incorporating more peace into your life?  Is Jesus your Prince of Peace?

In His Love,

A

10th Day of Advent Jesus is The Rock

 

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"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Psalm 18:2

I just finished reading Revelation 6 where the people at the end of times are taking refuge in the falling mountains and rocks to avoid God's wrath.  They are so hard-hearted that they will not turn to Him even though they know that this is His judgment.   I do not want to be like them.  I want to take refuge in God at all times, good and bad.  He is my Rock.  

Who is your Rock?  Do you build the foundation of your life on the ever-true and everlasting Rock of Jesus or something temporary?  What words will you use to praise Him as the Rock on which you can stand firmly? 

In His Love,

A

9th Day of Advent: Jesus is Creator

Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness....."

 Genesis 1:26a

Jesus was present at Creation!!! Jesus wasn't born on Christmas 2000+ years ago.  He is fully God so He has always existed, but just not in human form.  Therefore, Jesus created us.  Just earlier I was thinking about how I love to create things.  The Holy Spirit reminded me that since I was made in the image of God who created, I too am able to create.  I can't create mountains but I can craft so basically the same things ;)

How does it impact your relationship with Jesus to seem Him as Creator and Savior all wrapped up in one?  Will you praise Him today for something He created?  Whether it is you, someone else or even the mountains, sky and stars.  It was ALL made by Him.  He knows us so personally because He knit us together in our mother's womb (Psalm 139).  What words of worship can you offer Him for this amazing Truth?

In His Love,

A

2nd Sunday in Advent: Jesus is the Son of God

 

"He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" 

Romans 8:32 NIV

God literally gave us everything He is and had.  Jesus is not only the Son of God but He is also Himself God.  God gave up part of Himself, to come to Earth.  He was seperated from Himself when He died on that cross to take ALL of the sins of EVERYONE who ever lived.  If that is not truely amazing and shakes you to your core, then pray that God would open your eyes and your heart to know the Truth of His Word.  

I want to shout from the rooftops my praise for Jesus the Son of God.  We are now fully reconciled to God and can be a child with the ability to spend eternity with our Triune God :)  We need to praise God DAILY for this privilege and gift.  But how will you praise Him?  By song?  Prayer?  Completing tasks He has given you?  Telling someone else?  Jesus is worthy of our praise each and every second of the day.  He is the only one that should consume our thoughts.  What do you need to change to make this a reality?

What impact does the fact that Jesus is the Son of God make on your life?  I would love for you to share down in the comments :)

In His Love,

A

7th Day of Advent: Jesus is the Living Water

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.....but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life" 

 John 4:10, 14

We can't live without water.  It makes us up and the majority of the Earth.  There is no doubt that Jesus is the better and Truer Water that satisfies the deep thirst of our souls.  How has He satisfied the thirst in your life?  What have you been thirsting for?  A deeper relationship with Him? Peace? Love? Joy?  Go to Him, He's waiting for everyone to come to Him.  

Do you praise Him when He quenches the thirst of your life?  How can you incorporate more worship of Jesus?  From what do you need to stop "drinking" and drink up Jesus instead?

In His Love,

A 

6th Day of Advent: Jesus is the Light

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

John 8:12

It is fitting that today I write about Jesus as the Light because I just finished the outside Christmas lights.  I LOVEEE how Christmas lights bring such brightness into the darkness of winter.  Jesus does the same thing!!! How has He shone His Light into your life?  Has this changed the way you praise or worship Him? Do you go to Him when the darkness of you life seems so overwhelming?  He will shine Hope, Truth, and Love in just the right places.

After the final judgment and we are all in the new Heaven/Earth, there will be no need for the sun or moon or stars because Jesus and His Glory will shine bright enough to illuminate everything! Does truth impact your relationship with Him?  Who in your life may need a little bit of Jesus' light?  The Holy Spirit shines through us, so let Him :)

In His Love,

A

5th Day of Advent: Jesus is the Bread of Life

 

"For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heave and gives life to the world...I am the Bread of Life.  Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

John 6:33, 35

Jesus sustains our life because we have eternal life because of Him!! The Word of God is alive and feeds us when we read the Bible.  How is your soul being feed by Jesus?  Do you rely on Him to fill you instead of food?  I've been trying really hard lately to break my idolatry of my stomach and food and remind myself that "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).   

I daily confess my sin to the Lord and ask for strength to overcome the desire to overeat or replace worshiping food with worshiping Him.  So this year, Jesus as the Bread of Life is especially important in my praise and worship of Him.  He sustains and satisfies me more than any other food.  And now that I'm gluten free, I truly can't have that great of bread anymore, so I turn to Him :)

What does it mean to you that Jesus is the Bread of Life?

In His Love,

A 

4th Day of Advent: Jesus is our Provider

"For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."

Romans 5:17

Jehovah Jireh is one of my favorite names for the Lord because it means the Lord provides.  In so many ways these past few years, He has provided for me what I needed most just when I needed it.  If you don't know my mom had a brain aneurysm in 2013.  You can read more about it here and here.  We needed just about everything and God always provided.  He has given us amazing supportive family members and friends. 

God the Father always provides based off His great plan for our lives.  Jesus provides because He gave us a way to deal with our sins and for us to be able to go to heaven.  The Holy Spirit provides us with knowledge, insight, and conviction as we read scripture as well as peace and assurance.  Our Triune God perfectly provides in every way!!

So have you thanked Him lately for His provision?  Do you see every little thing as a gift from God?  Where in your life do you need to seek His provision, not your own?  Where has He provided for you when you needed Him the most?  We see in Romans 5:17 that God provides abundantly!!! How does this change your praise and worship of Him?

I would love to hear your provision stories :)

In His Love,
A     

3rd Day of Advent: Jesus is Judge

"And He has given Him authority to judge because He is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out--those how have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.  By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgement is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me." 

John 5:27-30

In the Book of Revelation, John gives a glimpse into the throne room of God, as he sees it revealed to Him by Jesus.  God is sitting on the throne and Jesus comes also out of the throne, proving He is God as well but also that He has the authority to judge (Revelation 4-5). 

Jesus is the Gentle and Good Shepherd, but He also has the authority and power to judge all.  He is both love and justice.  How does this duality change your perspective on Jesus?  Do you submit to His authority or do you try to take judging into your own hands (guilty here)?  Repent and give that role over to Him!! Have you thought about the end times and the fact that Jesus is coming back to judge?  How will you change your life because of the certainty of His judgment? (2 Peter 3: 8-18)

In His Love,

A   

2nd Day of Advent: Jesus is the Good Shepherd

"I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep....I know my sheep and my sheep know me."

John 10:11, 14b

Today let's worship Jesus and reflect on His role as the Good Shepherd in our lives.  Not only is Jesus the Lamb of God but He also is the Shepherd.  His role as the Lamb is for sacrificial purposes, but His role as the Shepherd is for leadership.  How is Jesus the Shepherd of your life?  Do you recognize Him as the One leading your life?  Where in your life do you need to give up that control and allow Him to watch over, guide, and protect you like a shepherd would for their flock?  What praise can you give Jesus for being the Shepherd who watches over all His sheep?  

Go and end the day knowing that Jesus is in control and that He is watching over you, not letting you stray away from the flock of God's children.

In His Love,

A

 

Advent 2015-1st Sunday: Jesus is the Lamb of God

It's that time of year again, the beginning of Advent!! I know that I haven't posted in months but I do want to start to get back to it.  I am going to post each day of Advent again this year.  I will still focus on the names of Jesus in the Bible.  However, this year I want to try and focus on how to take the knowledge of Jesus one step farther to praise and worship.  So instead of a description to read, I want you as the readers (and who am I kidding, me mostly) to focus on HOW we can praise and worship Jesus because of that day's name/attribute. I will link back to last year's posts (I have chosen most of the same names, with a few new ones) so you can go back read those if you want :)

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The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!"

John 1:29

Jesus is the Lamb of God. He takes away the sins of the world.  What does that mean to you?  How can you praise Him?  What sins has He taken away from you?   Take time today to mediate on the fact that all your sins and every body else who ever lived are all gone and the penalty is paid for.

You are welcome to respond in the comments or journal each day this Advent Season!!

In His Love,

A

Only One Verse

If you had only one verse from the Bible to share with others which one would it be?

There is John 3:16 which is a great summary and representation of the Gospel:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Recently I have found some other really powerful verses in Paul's letters.  Here is one from Colossians 2:13:

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ.  He forgave us all our sins,...." 

And another from 1 Thessalonians 4:16:

"For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

What are some of your favorite verses?  When you go to share Scripture with others, is there a particular verse that you pull out of memory, or do you personalize it based on the situation and the person?  I would love to hear from you :D 

In His Love,

A

p.s. I'm going to try to blog more consistently.  Pray that I will stay with it :)