2015 Advent Devotions (12/11/15)

12/11/2015 Friday

John 14:1-7, 27-29 (NT)      Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled

Here is one way to look at this passage. It is not the traditional textbook way, but it frames it in such a way that you can easily wrap your mind around it. The answer comes first and then you wonder, what is the question?

The answer is, God is the answer and Jesus is the way.

What is the question? What is the answer to why is there life? Or. Why do I have consciousness? Or. Why do I exist? Or. Is there a reason for all this?

The answer to all the big questions is God.

God created us, to be his companion. God guides us, towards him. God gives us gives us a reason to move forward, to be closer to him. And since we lost our way a long time ago, he gives us a guide, Jesus, to help us back to the path he set us on so long ago.

Jesus is trying to tell his disciples the central reason for his presence on earth. The disciples get the first part of it (believe in God and me, and where I am going and you will be with me), but unsurely ask Jesus where is this place and how do they get there. He replies, I am the truth, the way, and the life. (He tells the truth about God, love and salvation.) No one comes to the Father, except through me. (I have shown you the path and what you must do.) If you know me, you know the Father also. (I am the triune God.) From now on you have known him and seen him. (By seeing me and following me, you are seeing God and what he wants from you.)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. (Jesus gives his disciples his benediction of peace and tranquility, and a portending of the future so they will have concrete knowledge of God’s power.)

Don Icken

2015 Advent Devotions (12/10/15)

12/10/2015 Thursday

Psalm 46:1-7      A Song Trust in God

Have you heard and or even said yourself, “God help me!” or today’s favorite expression “OMG” which is asking for God’s help when we are hurting or frightened by occurences in the news. This is the reaction of most people. Even those who claim they don’t believe in God use these expressions probably not even realizing that they are looking to God for answers. God sees us through storms, tornados, hurricanes and other violent weather scenarios but He is also there for our personal troubles. We can and do turn to Him as our refuge and strength. When a family member is in need of comfort and we as individuals or as a church ask for God’s help He is there. Not always giving us the answwers we woud like but supporting us with comfort and the strength to carry on. As a country we acknowledge God’s help and turn to Him when in the Pledge of Allegiance we use the phrase “under God.” We turn to Him when we need strength and He is there, but let us remember to give thanks for all the support we get.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for being our refuge and strength as ask that you continue to be there for all who need you, whether they believe in you or not. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Deacon Dorothy Kafalas

2015 Advent Devotions (12/9/15)

12/9/2015 Wednesday

Philippians 4:4-6 (NT)      Rejoice! Give Thanks!

To a musician, the first line of our reading rings forth the sweet assurances of Henry Purcell’s so-called “Bell Anthem.” It begins with the descending peal of a clock tower that reminds us that in this Advent season the bells ring out the message of Christ’s coming and His redeeming love for all of the creation. Paul tells us to “rejoice always” and this recalls to mind that he also tells us to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5) and also to rejoice. Sometimes it seems easier to pray without ceasing than to rejoice always. This means rejoice not only in uplifting times redolent with love and peace but also in times of trouble and trial. But we are admonished to rejoice in our adversity because we have the fast assurance that the Lord is with us at these times as well, holding us up, bolstering our faith, providing the solid rock to which we cling. Rejoice when storm clouds gather. Hold fast to the rock of our salvation. The Lord is at hand, and never more encouragingly as when we meditate on His advent. The King is coming! Our sure foundation is born as one of us, among us, leading us by a star to the place where He abides. Perhaps the Magi sang as they followed that star, rejoicing all the rugged way.

Franklyn Commisso

2015 Advent Devotions (12/8/15)

12/8/2015 Tuesday

Romans 15:7-13 (NT)      A Word of Promise Even to “Outsiders”

Welcoming is the word in my mind that comes to me on reading this text. In this text the writer is telling the Christian Community in Rome that Christ came not just for the Jewish Community but to the Gentiles also. “Praise the lord, all you Gentiles and let all people praise him” from the Old Testament is quoted.

I have been reading Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber. What I am impressed by in the book is how people need to hear that they are loved by God and are important the way they are. The book has many stories of how different individual have come to believe in God and thereby believe in themselves. What brought them to God were people of the Church community listening to them and affirming them.

What I see ourselves trying to do in our church and our lives is to affirm the people we have around us by listening to them and sharing our stories. It is not easy and takes time but that is how God’s love is shared.

Prayer: “May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:13

Irene Germain

Advent Devotions (12/7/15)

12/7/2015 Monday

Psalm 27      A Song of Hope & Trust

In Psalm 27, the psalmist is surrounded by his enemies. We are surrounded today with acts of impersonal, senseless violence, and enemies both known and unknown: ISIS; home-grown terrorists; and random shootings. These acts create anxiety, distrust, and hopelessness. I have experienced times of worry and fear–“What if..? What should I do?” Such fears are debilitating and exhausting, but change nothing. Through faith I began to understand the words “In God We Trust.” God’s faithfulness and love for us are steadfast. He is “our refuge and our strength.” We can take action by praying - praying for guidance, security, and for a deeper relationship with God.

        The Lord is my light and my salvation

         whom shall I fear (27:1)

         The Lord is the stronghold of my life

         of whom shall I be afraid?

Joan Bradley

Advent Devotions (12/6/15)

12/6/2015 Sunday

Isaiah 40:1-11      A People Far from Home

“Get you up to a high mountain, Lift up your voice with strength...” How many times have we been on vacation in a mountainous area and we look out, look down and all around. It is a glorious day and we feel like shouting out to anyone who will listen. Praise God for this wonderful experience and I feel like I could stay here forever!

Then we climb down the mountain or drive down in our car and when we reach the bottom we see nothing but tree limbs and grass and road. We slip back into our same routines and go on with our lives. We forget how majestic the view was and how wonderful it made you feel.

Each and every day we are so blessed with those wonderful feelings, but we hardly pay any attention to them. We have our family around us. Our church family as well. We are not far from home anymore. I was raised in Hershey PA and I am now far from home, but I have the memories of family and friends that will never be forgotten.

Lord we ask you to always watch over us, No matter if we are far from home or just down the street. Remember us in your glory and keep us forever mindful of your presence. In your name we pray...Amen.

Ken Mongold

2015 Advent Devotions (12/5/15)

12/5/2015 Saturday

Job 1:1-22      A Man Who Suffers

Job was a family man and very proud of what he was doing. He was a very wealthy man and set in his ways. He never thought he would have to go through the suffering that he did! We all get caught up in our lives and will forget how important our family is to us. We not only need to remember who our Lord and Savior is and how he suffered on the cross, but we need to remember how important God is in our daily lives. We get so caught up in the small things like doing dishes, taking out the trash, putting gas in the car, and so on that we forget how much our Lord means to us in even those small decisions we will make. During the past two years I have gone through some of the things Job did. Loss of family members and friends and forgetting to ask God to help me in my sorrow. It has been a tough two years for me, but now that I truly trust in God in making decisions and living a life full of joy and thanksgiving. It has taken me a long time to get over the losses but if we just trust in God and talk with Him...He will listen and help you through those tough times. We will never suffer alone!

Thank you Lord for giving me the power to listen and I ask you to look over all of us at Trinity Lutheran Church and give us all the power to listen! In His name we pray...Amen!

Ken Mongold