Advent Day 4

When I think of Advent, I think of a big wooden door -- like maybe one found on a cathedral, or a monastery, or maybe just an old ancient inn. I imagine Jesus on the other side of it ... knocking.

My heart beats faster. I imagine a key turning the lock ... I hear the lock release ... then I see the knob beginning to turn, and I know that it is the hand of my Lord turning it from the other side. I realize I'm about to come face to face with Him. Can you feel the excitement of it? Can you sense the anticipation? That's what Advent season is all about!

I love what Karen wrote in her comment yesterday about Joseph: "Imagine the awe he must have felt in being the earthly father of a son directly from his Heavenly Father! ... We don't hear much about Joseph in the Bible, but we see the imprint of him in the New Testament all the same. ... Jesus was recognized as "the carpenter's son" in his early ministry. Joseph is the silent witness in the life of Jesus. So many of us are more comfortable in that role as Christians. We don't take the stage, we don't want the limelight, we won't be nominated for awards for our charismatic impact on the world, but we quietly serve, support, and love in the name of Jesus and to the glory of God our Father."

Beautiful point, Karen. It's never about the "limelight" ... it's always about the state of our hearts.


On that note ... Can I ask you to pray for me as I head Friday morning to the mountains of Colorado to take the stage at an outreach event this weekend? I'd appreciate prayers for my travel, for my family in my absence, for my message, and most of all for the hearts of the women who will attend. While it might be me standing up there speaking, I know I can't communicate anything worthwhile apart from the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and the prayer support of those who serve from unseen places. Thanks, friends!


Luke 2:1,3 (NLT)
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.

Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)
All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

Advent Day 3

When I think of Advent, I think of a big wooden door -- like maybe one found on a cathedral, or a monastery, or maybe just an old ancient inn. I imagine Jesus on the other side of it ... knocking.

My heart beats faster. I imagine a key turning the lock ... I hear the lock release ... then I see the knob beginning to turn, and I know that it is the hand of my Lord turning it from the other side. I realize I'm about to come face to face with Him. Can you feel the excitement of it? Can you sense the anticipation? That's what Advent season is all about!

Debrah commented yesterday: "'Luke 1:15, For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.' Last month Elizabeth and Mary were the topic of our Women of The Bible Discussion..when I read Luke I was impressed by how involved the Holy Ghost was in the lives of Mary, Zacharias, Elizabeth, John and Jesus. I'd only thought of the Holy Ghost in terms of relationship as being after Pentecost."

Terrific point to bring out, Debrah. It illustrates the fact that one cannot fulfill God's purposes without the help of His Spirit. That's true of even the "great ones" of the faith. Through out the Old Testament when someone was used to advance God's will -- be it Moses, or Samson, or Samuel, or Saul, or David, or Elisha, etc. -- the Bible says that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. (Check out Judges 14:5-6, Judges 14:19, I Sam. 10:1-10, I Sam. 16:13, II Kings 2:9-15 for examples.)

Matthew 1:20-23 (NLT)

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

2 Samuel 7:13 (NLT)

"He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever."

Advent Day 2

When I think of Advent, I think of a big door -- like maybe one found on a cathedral, or a monastery, or maybe just an old ancient inn. I imagine Jesus on the other side of it ... knocking.

My heart responds, begs even, "please, come." I imagine a key turning the lock ... I hear the lock release ... then I see the knob beginning to turn, and I know that it is the hand of my Lord turning it from the other side. I realize I'm about to come face to face with Him. Can you feel the excitement of it? Can you sense the anticipation? That's what Advent season is all about!

"Advent" refers to the coming of Christ. I'll be posting some short advent readings here through out the season, which runs from the start of December thru Christmas Eve. So if you too want to get intentional about reflecting on the amazing truth that an invisible God became visible to deliver our souls from sin and live among us as our King - join me.

You can also purchase or make an Advent calendar that counts down the days until Christmas. Some allow you to insert little pieces of candy or little scraps of paper with scriptures printed on them. Others have something printed behind the numbered flaps. Grade school kids often enjoy these.

Genesis 22:18 (NLT)

"And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.”

Luke 1:41-42 (NLT)

"At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed."

Welcome to Advent

Today, December 1st, marks the beginning of the Advent season. Advent is a Latin word meaning "coming" or "arrival." It's the season to reflect on the coming of our Savior which took place centuries ago with His birth. And it's a season to reflect on the second coming of our King which is yet to fully take place.

When I think of Advent, I think of a big door, like maybe one found on a cathedral, or a monastery, or maybe just an old ancient inn. I imagine Jesus on the other side of it ... knocking. My heart responds, begs even, "please, come." I imagine a key turning the lock ... I hear the lock release ... then I see the knob beginning to turn ... and I know that it is the hand of my Lord turning it from the other side. And I realize I'm about to come face to face with Him. Can you feel the excitement? Can you sense the anticipation?

That's what the advent season is all about! This my Savior, and my King about to greet me.

I'll be posting some short advent readings here through out the season. So if you too want to get intentional about reflecting on the amazing truth that an invisible God became visible to deliver our souls from sin and live among us as our King - join me.

Luke 1:30-33 (New Living Translation)

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”