Greetings my friends. How is the season of Look, Look going for you? Advent is the season of Wait, Wait, but things creep in don’t they. In Bible study last week we talked about repentance and reflection while we are waiting. I remember Bob Adix making the Advent time feel dire and sad. Why would we be thinking about this when we are joyful for Christ’s birth? Well, it’s more than a birthday, remember. While we wait for Christ to return, we need to be aware of all the things that He asked us to do. That is the hard part, love one another, patient, kind, peaceful. The list is long and I don’t know about you but I find myself better at some things, not so much at others. So as the leaves fall one by one, imagine a shower of love falling on you, filling you up with the attributes that need a little work. Reflect on Christ, Hallelujah and Rejoice, our gift is great.
Zephaniah 3:14-20 14)Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15)The LORD has taken away His judgments against you, He has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; You will fear disaster no more. 16)In that day it will be said to Jerusalem: “Do not be afraid, O Zion; Do not let your hands fall limp. 17)”The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. 18)”I will gather those who grieve about the appointed feasts–they came from you, O Zion: The reproach of exile is a burden on them. 19)”Behold, I am going to deal at that time with all your oppressors, I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will turn their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20)”At that time I will bring you in, even at the time when I gather you together; Indeed, I will give you renown and praise among all the peoples of the earth, When I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the LORD. The LORD is with us always, He directs and gives praise to those who follow and keep His will. Imagine what a glorious feeling to be praised by God.
Isaiah:12:2-6 2)”Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” 3)Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. 4)And in that day you will say, “Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known HIs deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that HIs name is exalted.” 5)Praise the LORD in song, for He has done excellent things; 6)Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. What do you see here? Do you sing praises to God, do you shout in joy for He is our God. Let Him hear you!
Philippians 4:4-7 4)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5)Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6)Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7)And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. This is quite comforting if we do as it says, let the worries be known to God, praise Him in His greatness.
Luke 3:7-18 7)So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8)”Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 9)”Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10)And the crowds were questions him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” 11)And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” 12)And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13)And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” 14)Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.” 15)Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, 16)John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17)”His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” John lays it out here, be honest, be aware, do what is right as Christ is coming, He is coming again, Rejoice.
Through Christ, Seek God,
D.J. Schoneweis