Advent Devotions: Joy (1212/2021)

 Sunday December 12                            Joy                             Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

****

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

These words from the Apostle Paul are familiar ones. We recite them from memory, perhaps even sing them. Their message is both inspirational and aspirational.

Yet as you reflect on them today, perhaps you are feeling some kind of disconnect or tension. In this third week of Advent our focus is on the joy we feel at the upcoming celebration of Christ’s birth. But we also acknowledge that the past two years haven’t brought our world much to rejoice about. More than five million persons throughout the world have died because of a global pandemic, three-quarter million of them in this country. Our society is more polarized than at any other point in most of our lifetimes. We long for a return to life as we used to know it, even as we realize that many things will never be the same. Against this backdrop, Paul’s words may be challenging to hear: Rejoice. Always. Again I will say, Rejoice.

Rejoice, you say? Rejoice when it seems that wherever we turn, we encounter grief and sorrow? To paraphrase the Psalmist: How can we possibly sing songs of joy in this strange and unknown world we in which we find ourselves?

St. Paul’s letter to the Philippian church was written during his imprisonment, to a church that wasn’t exactly in a good place, either—a congregation with internal issues brewing, with two key leaders in conflict. Rejoice, you say?

That’s exactly what St. Paul says. Rejoice. Always. No matter if the circumstances in which we find ourselves seem to be designed to keep us from rejoicing, from living in and sharing holy joy. Rejoice. Always. Because our exceedingly great joy comes from within, a gift from the One who is our strength. Because our joy is complete; it is a joy that no one, and no thing, can ever take away. Because we live in Christ, we can live in deep joy, rejoicing evermore.

Is it hard to sing a song of joy? Sing anyway. Rejoice! The peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus every step of the way! And again, rejoice. Stand firm in the Lord, no matter what. Rejoice! He is near, he is with us—Imanu’el.

Prayer: Holy One, you are present with us throughout all the seasons of our lives. Help us to remember always that our joy is rooted in you. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

 

Rev. Dr. Martha Cruz

Advent Devotions: Hope (12/11/2021)

 

Saturday December 11                       Hope                           Hebrews 6:17-20

In the same way, when God desired to show even more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it by an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God would prove false, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

.****

With two weeks left until Christmas day, the hope of children grows – hopes for particular gifts, for vacation, snow, time spent with family and the like.  They look to the tangible hopes of the season that mark it for a short time.

What are your hopes?

Other hopes find us praying for health and employment, for relationships and worldly concerns.  These are just as tangible but not relegated to one season.  These are about our lives and those around us.  They are the hopes that join us each morning and that we often wrestle with as we lay down to sleep.

Yet, we sometimes find that these hopes turn into worries and concerns, losing that sense of anticipation and expectation associated more with hope.   Hope begins to feel more like wishful thinking.  They seem as if they are like requests to “Santa Claus”. 

Hope is not wishful thinking.  Hope, for us as people of faith, finds its substance in God’s promises.  When I rely upon myself or someone else to fulfill my hopes, they quickly turn to worries and uncertainty.  We are called to place our hope and our trust in the only One who brings the fullness of life.

God promised from the moment of creation that we will not be abandoned, that God always loves and claims us.  Even when we fail or fall short, God’s promises are as steadfast as his love.  God desires only the best for us and for our world.

And for this reason, we can fully hope in the promise of love and grace that was born in Bethlehem. 

Prayer: My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ righteousness.  We humbly place all our hopes before the Christ child in the manger.  We offer them to God as the only One in whom we live and move and have our being.  Amen.

Pastor Jen Boyd

Advent devotions: Hope (12/10/2021)

 

 Friday December 10                            Hope                                  Psalm 62: 5-7

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.’

****

I am a person who believes in hope, I turn to God in prayer when things look bleak and also when I am thankful for God’s presence. Years ago when my daughter was sick and told she had no more than six months to live I prayed and hoped that God would give her a longer life. Everyone in family, church, neighborhood and even the country through church were praying for her. Prayers were answered. She was granted 20 months of life after a transplant. God was there for her. Although she was not given a long life on earth I know we will all meet again in the hereafter. God is there when we need Him. He is someone we can count on always.

Prayer: Dear God, we thank you for being there for us in time of need. Grant us peace and understanding of others in our lives and in the world Show us how to get along with our enemies as well as friends. Keep us in your arms. This we pray in the name of your beloved Son Jesus. Amen

 

Deacon Dorothy Kafalas

Advent devotions: Hope (12/9/2021)

 

Thursday December 9                         Hope                         Ephesians 1:15-23

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.  

****

“…so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you…”

“My thoughts and prayers are with you.”  How many times we have heard or spoken these words!   Especially throughout this pandemic or when someone we know has suffered a great loss.  We say them to offer support and comfort, of course.  Sometimes though, we don’t know what else to say and the phrase can just sound tired and sad.   

The author of this epistle begins by telling the Ephesians that he remembers their community in his prayers.  Then he goes on to actually share that prayer with them - asking God to give them wisdom, and praying that they may know God’s hope and power.  What a wonderful example of how to pray for others!

The next time the Spirit moves you to pray for someone, try this:  After you have prayed, call or send the person a text or email and tell them!  Tell them “I prayed for God to give you strength today - I know you have a difficult day ahead.” or “I thanked God in my prayers today - so glad you are on the mend!”  Receiving that message of specific prayer will be a wonderful sign of hope, encouragement and a blessing to your loved one!

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, you encourage us to come to you in prayer.  Help us to pray WITH one another, as well as FOR one another, that we may know the hope to which you call us.  Amen. 

S. Deacon Barbara Meberg

                      Emanuel Lutheran, Pleasantville 

Advent devotions: Hope (12/8/2021)

 

Wednesday December 8                   Hope                                  Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

****

HOPE

No matter what happens in our lives. Hope will get us through it! Hope will never let us down. Hope delivers us from bad news items to wonderful news items.  Sometimes we dwell on bad things so much that we do not believe that things will work out. Having sincere HOPE in our lives keeps us steadfast and free from bad thoughts.

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father we thank you for giving us the Hope we need to get through each and every day. You have always been there for me and my family. No matter if things are good or bad we continue to hope and pray that we will survive discouragements that affect our lives. KEEPING OUR HOPE IN OUR LORD AND SAVIOR that he will always be there for us ALL is the Best way to survive!!

 

Ken Mongold

Advent devotions: Hope (12/7/2021)

 Tuesday December 7                          Hope                        Jeremiah 29:11-13

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart.

****

The context of this verse is Jeremiah’s letter to the Israelites exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.  Jeremiah shares words of hope in the midst of hardship and suffering reminding them that although they are not where they expected, God has not forgotten them, He will listen when they call Him and pray to Him.  God is reassuring His people that He is with them and that He loves and cares for them. He has plans for them for a bright future going back to the Promised Land.

Today, God has plans for us along with a future full of hope.  His plan isn’t always what we thought it was going to be but the plan is always best even if we don’t understand it. When God shuts a door, He opens another. It requires us to be a faithful follower to God and to live our lives reflecting out faith. When we experience tough and difficult situations, God promises to be there for us. As a Christian it means going to be with Him for eternity.

Let us pray. The Lord knows the plans He has for us and He is waiting for us to come to Him.  Help us God to seek you in prayer so we can know and honor You. Help us to listen and live responsibly and follow those plans. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Joanne Icken

Advent devotions: Hope (12/6/2021)

 Monday December 6                          Hope                                 Psalm 130:5-7

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.

****

The Oxford Dictionary defines Hope as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.  I realize that often my hope has time limits. If you are more than fifteen minutes late, I will leave.  What might make me extend those limits... until morning... until next week... next year... another decade?  Who do I trust enough to keep waiting? The Psalmist has hope and trusts in God’s steadfast love... God’s grace.  As we approach the celebration of the Nativity, we are reminded of God’s great love for all humanity.  God’s love through Jesus Christ is the ultimate gift that greets us with love, forgiveness and eternal life. And, God has not, does not and will not disappoint.  Truly God’s love and promise are worth the wait. 

 

Pr. Elaine Berg