Advent Week 2

"The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved." 2Thessalonians 2:9&10 As we observe Advent, we prepare to celebrate the first appearance of our Lord and Savior on Christmas day and we prepare for His second coming at the consummation of creation. Jesus doesn't want, "... anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2Peter 3:9)." During this season of Advent, let's ask the Holy Spirit to create greater opportunities for us to show love to others as Jesus has loved us and for living out the truth that is Jesus Christ in us, our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). In this way we could participate in the victory of the Gospel over the lawless one and see those who would otherwise perish embrace the truth in love! ¡Cristo viene pronto!

Advent 2012 Hope

Advent 2012 Week 1: Hope “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4&5 Advent is the time of year we celebrate Jesus’ coming! We will spend the next 4 weeks meditating on Jesus having already been born and preparing for His triumphant return. We will consider these things through 4 traditional concepts: Hope, Faith (Preparation), Joy, and Love. This first week of advent we contemplate Hope. The Merriam-Webster on line dictionary defines Hope as: to desire with expectation of obtainment; to expect with confidence. Colossians 1:3 says, faith and love spring from hope. Hope is important, even vital. I think that is why this liturgical celebration traditionally begins with hope. Advent is about celebrating Jesus coming to earth. His miraculous birth and his triumphant return! And though we don’t “hope” about Jesus being born- how do you hope for something that has already happened? We do celebrate Hope fulfilled in the birth of the promised Savior. We then can “hope” in Jesus returning, “... in the same way you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11), because the One who promised and made the first coming happen, is the One who guarantees the next coming. Yeah! The past several months have been tough. No excuses, just tough. Before it got tough, I lived quietly behind computer, lectern, podium, and door. I want to change the way I live. I want to live like one who has hope! I want to live conscious of the hope I have in Jesus Christ.This Advent I want to engage. I don’t want my experience to strictly be an isolated theological exercise. “As for other matters, brothers and sisters... live in order to please God... we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1