This week, we have asked some tough questions, hopefully preparing us and challenging us to embrace the real Christmas event so our lives reflect Christ in this world. Once more, I invite you to read the scripture focus for this week. Take some time to ponder what we have talked about this week. Most importantly,Continue reading “Really Ready for Christmas?”
Category Archives: Advent
Urgency
Today, we again look at the passage in Luke 21 of Jesus speaking about the end and the glorious return of the Son of Man. This time, I invite us to look at verses 34-36. “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of thisContinue reading “Urgency”
Our Lives Look Different
Christmas is a wonderful time of year for many and a tragic, depressing or sad time of year for many. This time of year for others is…frustrating. Advent is a time of preparation for the birth of the Christ child into the world, and into our hearts once again. How we live demonstrates our devotionContinue reading “Our Lives Look Different”
Do We Take Christ Seriously Enough?
This may seem like a strange question as we begin Advent, but I believe it is an important question we should ask ourselves. This is a questions I ponder most days. How we think about Christ changes our to do list and what we do day to day. What we believe about Christ changes ourContinue reading “Do We Take Christ Seriously Enough?”
Preparing for What?
We have just entered into the season of Advent. This marks the beginning of a new Christian church year. Advent is one of my favorite times because we have the opportunity to focus on the actions God took by becoming man, Jesus Christ. We are invited, once again, to deepen our faith and allow theContinue reading “Preparing for What?”
Will You Accept This Challenge?
James 2:12-13 CEB “In every way, then, speak and act as people who will be judged by the law of freedom. There will be no mercy in judgment for anyone who hasn’t shown mercy. Mercy overrules judgment.” We don’t have to go very far without seeing something negative. It is common to turn the televisionContinue reading “Will You Accept This Challenge?”
December 24: Merry Christmas!
We have been on this journey to allow the message of the Christmas story to change our hearts. Today I invite us to read the story of Jesus’ birth from the Gospel of Luke to hopefully hear it with fresh ears and a fresh heart. In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout theContinue reading “December 24: Merry Christmas!”
December 23: Prepare (Advent 2014 Devotional)
Matthew 28:20 “…..I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” These past 24 days, we have been on this journey which I hope has prepared your heart for Christmas in a fresh way this year. We have traveled with Joseph, Mary, the shepherds, the angels, Herod, the magi,Continue reading “December 23: Prepare (Advent 2014 Devotional)”
December 22: Prepare (Advent 2014 Devotional)
Matthew 2:10-12 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Because they were warned in a dream not toContinue reading “December 22: Prepare (Advent 2014 Devotional)”
December 21: Prepare (Advent 2014 Devotional)
Matthew 2:7-9 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” When they heard the king,Continue reading “December 21: Prepare (Advent 2014 Devotional)”
R Y A N S T R A T T O N 