How many this morning are honest enough to make this confession? We have all sinned, we have all made grievous mistakes, and as a result we are burdened with the consequences. But, do you know that Jesus still sits on the mercy seat? Do you know that his door is always open to welcome you? No matter where we have been, or what we have done, we serve a God of second chances; a God who is always ready to forgive; so even though your sins be like scarlet, he will make them white as snow. All you need to do is to confess your sins, knowing he is faithful and just and will forgive us from all unrighteousness. Therefore, do not be afraid or ashamed to knock, and when God answers that knock, open your heart and let him in. Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord, we are thankful for the joy that you bring to us; help us to see and to understand that in you is fullness of joy; help us to turn aside from the distractions of this world that prevents us from sharing in your joy, walking in your joy, and hoping in your joy and focus on you. As we celebrate this season in hope, peace, joy and love, may we be always hopeful, peaceful, joyful and loving; may we keep the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love burning in our hearts always, may we share these with others who are still walking in darkness, and by you and I shining the light that is in us, the light of Christ, others will be led by it; for the light reminds us, that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, hope, peace, joy and love. It also reminds us, that we are called to be a light to the world, as we reflect the light of God’s grace to us and project it on others. My brothers and sisters in Christ, have you experienced God’s marvelous light? If you have not yet experienced it, it’s worth a try, for when you are blinded by the light, you will have no other choice but to allow God to lead you and guide in the path he prepared for you. Praise the Lord!

 “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me, let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be, with God as our father, children all are we, let us walk with each other in perfect harmony. Let there be peace on earth, let this be the moment now, with every step I take, let this be my solemn vow, to take each moment, and live each moment, in peace eternally, let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”

The question comes to you and me. What shall your answer be?”

At some point in our lives, we will come to the realization that the path we are traveling is not the path God prepared for us; but we have been walking in our own sinful way for so long, that it becomes a habit, that it seems easier than changing course. But look around you, take a good look at what is going on around you, the way you spend your time, and who you spend it with, and ask yourself this question – If God should call me home right now, where would I spend eternity? Will it be with the chosen one, who sits at God’s right hand, will I be singing with the angel band, or sinking slowly in hell’s quick sand?

Dear Lord, I have been selfish; I spent the time you have given me on the worthless pleasures of this world; I have turned you away when you called, even though, many times when I needed you, you were there for me. Lord, is that that door still open? Will you call my name again? Let me hear your pleading voice once more. I am ready and willing to make room in my heart for you. Oh, come to my heart Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee.

“Why do you linger, why do you stray, in the broad road, the most dangerous way, while right before you narrow and straight, is the bright pathway to heaven’s pearly gates?” My brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus has been calling you, earnestly and tenderly he has been calling you to come home. Why do you linger and heed not his mercy, when he’s calling for you to come home? Come home to Jesus, all ye who are weary, come home, and find rest in the Savior’s loving arms. Only one step to take, why not take it now?

We screen our phone calls and answer as we wish. Sometimes the calls we don’t accept are the calls that would have made a difference in our lives. Sometimes the calls that we do not return until days or weeks later, does not matter anymore. If you were expecting a call, you would answer on the first ring. If you were expecting a visitor you would answer the door at the first knock. We know that Christ will come again, but we know that he will not come again until every knee shall bow, and every tongue confesses that he is Lord. God has been calling you, knocking on your door, waiting on you to bow; he has been waiting for you to confess his name. Oh, how can you ask Jesus to wait? He is not stranger, but he has been knocking a long time; he has been calling you to come home for a long time, but you refuse to return his call, you refuse to answer his knock at the door; he has been seeking your heart, but there is barrier blocking him. Will you allow God to come into your heart today and cleanse it from sin? You may think that you have all the time in the world to answer his call, but know, that TODAY is time accepted; TOMORROW you may call in vain. Accept God’s call of grace today for he may not call again. “Room for Jesus, King of Glory, hasten now his word obey, swing your heart’s door wide open, and bid him enter while you may.” Praise the Lord!

It is so sad to hear people making excuses as to why they cannot make time for God. They find time for everything else, but no time for God. How much of your time during any give day does God have your full attention? How long will you keep pushing him on the back burner? Christ is knocking at your heart’s door, he has been knocking a long time. Would he get tired and go away? My brothers and sister in Christ, you may have given up on God but God will never give up on you. Instead, when he stops knocking you will know. He will find another way to get your attention and most times it’s a hard lesson. Read for yourselves in Deuteronomy chapter 28, the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. I am in no way trying to scare you, but to show a better way, God’s way. Our God is a jealous God. He said, “Because you have refused to serve the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; therefore, shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. He, who has ears to hear the word of the Lord, let him here.” My prayer this morning is that you will make time for God, to spend some quality time in his presence, in which there is fullness of joy. Praise the Lord!

This week, the second week in Advent is the week of peace. The candle of peace is burning.

Many will be throwing out the old to bring home something new for Christmas. But as you make room to bring in the new things that you will treat yourselves to, clean out a spot in the corner of your heart for Jesus. He has been in your house unrecognized. He has been locked out from the door of your heart. He has been carrying your load of sin. It’s time for us to make room in our hearts for Jesus where he may abide. It’s time to throw out the old and bring in the new. Satan has been residing in your homes and your hearts for far too long; consider him old and throw him out to make room for Jesus, who will not seek to destroy the new things you bring home, but preserve them and allow you to use them for his honor and his glory. “Room for Jesus, King of Glory, hasten now his word obey, swing your heart’s door wide open, and bid him enter while you may.”