Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Hebrews 12:1
Lord, keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 17:8
“Lord, You have been my dwelling place through all generations. You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You are my hiding place and my shield; I put my hope in Your word.”
Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for the love you have shown us, in sending Jesus to be our Savior. May we accept him in our hearts and let his love shine forth.
“Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.”
“Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.”
My brothers and sisters in Christ, God knew how sinful we would be and that we would need deliverance; therefore, he sent us a deliverer in Jesus Christ our Lord. As we prepare to meet him, humble us, Lord, give us clean hearts and watchful spirits, so that when he appears we may be found ready. All this we ask in your precious name. Amen!
Today we begin the Advent Season when we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is a time of great reflection and repentance; and as the songwriter says, “And let each heart prepare a home, where such a mighty Guest may come”.
“On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry, announces that the Lord is nigh, awake and harken, for he brings, glad tidings of the King of kings! Then cleansed be every life from sin, make straight the way for God within, and let each heart prepare a home, where such a mighty Guest may come.”
As we prepare for the beginning of the Advent season, it is a time for us to celebrate light in the midst of darkness. It is a time for us to prepare a home in our hearts for God, and to put away from us all works of darkness and walk in his marvelous light.
I love this season! Inside and outside of my home is bathed in lights and it makes me so very happy. I give God thanks that I could live my life in the light. He has moved me from darkness to light and I am forever thankful.
“Where will you spend eternity? This question comes to you and me, tell me, what shall your answer be?”
“Many are choosing Christ today, turning from all their sins away, heaven shall their blessed portion be, but you, where will you spend eternity?”
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy endures forever. Psalm 107:1
Lord, we give you thanks for all the many blessings that you bestow on us. Help us to remember that a blessing shared is a blessing multiplied. Lord, we open our hands and you fill them with good things, such things that we do not deserve but you know that we need. Let us always live our lives gratefully, thankfully, and prayerfully; rendering to you all honor and glory and praise because you are good, and your mercy endures forever.
Heavenly Father, give us lips to praise your name, and may we not only praise you with our lips, but by the way we live our lives.
“Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things have done, in whom his world rejoices; who from our mothers’ arms, has blessed us on our way, with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.”
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Psalm 86:5
If You, O Lord kept track of iniquities, then who O Lord, could stand. But with You, there is forgiveness, so that we may fear You. Psalm 130:3-4