Thousands of years before His birth, Isaiah predicted Him:
Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Then, when Isaiah’s prediction came true, Jesus came to earth… the Prince of Peace, Here to show us how to find His peace, Here to show us how to live.
Ephesians2:14 put it this way:
“Jesus is our peace” Because Jesus “came and preached peace to you who were far away and those who were near.”
Jesus came, lived to show us and teach us, and died to save us. Believing that is the road to His grace. Believing that is the way to Eternal Life. Believing that is the path to peace.
Dr. John Koessler wrote:
“Those who know the peace of Christ become agents of peace themselves. When Jesus first sent His disciples to proclaim the kingdom, He told them, ‘As you enter the home, give it your greeting.’ Matthew 10:12 (the traditional Jewish greeting, Shalom) This was more than a social formality, Christians are offering peace through faith in Christ to others. The shalom of Christ is more than a greeting. It is a promise. There is more to peace than a personal experience. For the Christian, peace is a person. Jesus is our peace.”
There is more than one way to interpret the word “wait.” The photo above shows you a waitress who is “waiting” on a table.
Some waiting is defined by an expectation of something or someone to come… like a good friend.
Other waiting is short-term, self-imposed, self-defined… …. like waiting for your food to digest before that next meal or dessert after a huge Thanksgiving dinner!
Today is the first day of Advent. As a Christian, that means we have 40 days of waiting.
The season of Advent lasts through Christmas Eve. When Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, it is the last or fourth Sunday of Advent. In Eastern Orthodox churches, which use the Julian calendar, Advent begins earlier, on November 15, and lasts 40 days, rather than 4 weeks.
40 days of waiting for the coming of the Christ Child … waiting for Christmas.
The word “Advent” stems from the Latin word adventus, which literally means “coming” or “arrival.” Our sermon at my church this morning dealt with this topic of waiting… waiting for that special arrival.
Pastor Mary Grace Reynolds spoke about a children’s book (I think it was a Dr. Seuss) that depicted a “waiting place” as a “useless place” but she encouraged us to view waiting differently.
She asked us what we do when we are waiting. Some people find something to read. Others play on their phones or engage in conversation with a friend. Some write letters or cards or they reach out to help a neighbor. Spend the waiting time productively.
I wrote this conclusion as I listened:
There is a lot we can do while we wait. Think about the good things we can do. Gracious God, help us make waiting useful. Let’s fill it with good things for me and You.
We can live during this time of waiting With love and hope in our heart. We have control over our actions. We can spread peace – today’s the day to start.
Ready? Begin!
Psalms 27:13-14 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today. Have a wonderful season of Advent.
Love and hugs to you!
Make your waiting a time of love and compassion! Reach out today!
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” Romans 5:1-2
Grace alone which God supplies; Strength unknown He will provide… Every soul we long to reach Every heart we hope to teach Everywhere we share… It’s only by His Grace.
Do take time to hear Scott Wesley Brown sing this for us:
God’s grace – and peace to you – dear friends,
PEACE now and forever!
Bee well. Thanks for visiting JanBeek. See ya tomorrow.
Prayer is the topic of a book study we are doing with our pastor these weeks of November 2022. But, back in 2015, it was also a topic of discussion and the title of our guest minister’s sermon. Take a step back – and join me:
Prayer was the title of our sermon on Sunday, August 16, 2015 by Rev. Carol Shellenberger of Bozeman, MT. Here are the notes I took while I listened to her very meaningful and inspiring message:
Turning to the Lord in prayer Is a habit I cultivate. Turning to the Lord with concern Is wise, before it’s too late.
But turning to the Lord in praise Is a minute-by-minute habit. It’s not just a request for courage When we’re afraid. It’s a joy. Grab it!
Prayer is a source of inspiration. Our Father has so much to give. Prayer is a way to receive it… The gift of wisdom; abundance to live.
Some folks expect too much or too little, Looking for extraordinary results Or doubting that God even hears. But prayer is a part of us – like our pulse.
Turning to the Lord in prayer Tells God we are here – and so is He. We know He is wherever we are. I know my Lord cares and answers me.
Prayer is not just a matter of speaking; It’s conversation, but it’s silence, too. If you never stop talking in prayer to God, You never hear what He’s saying to you,
In Luke 11, Jesus teaches His disciples To pray in a wise, simple way. Recognize the power of God And reflect on what this version has to say.
It’s a personal, approachable prayer To Abba, our Papa, our Dad. It invites us to be honest with God, Especially when we’ve been remorsefully bad.
Be specific in naming your sins. From your core, tell Him of your failure and fear. Then look for the way your Savior responds. Notice His Spirit within you. Feel His Love near.
God may not answer in ways you expect. Our Lord is not Santa Claus in disguise. Listen and look for God’s exquisite response. He cares, He hears, and His response always is wise.
In faith, hope and trust, Just PRAY!
Amen.
Take your troubles to the Lord today. The Holy Spirit is in you – always ready. The God of Creation who created you Is here to help you … Helpfulness is steady.
There is nothing quite like prayer in song – especially when it is Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion!
Do not let the wind Disturb your tranquility The wind moves the clouds
The clouds paint pictures The clouds bring much needed rain Wind whips them away
Let the wind help you Blow away any distress And just be at peace
Smile, my friends!
When this post was first written, Bob & I were headed out in the boat to float the Madison River. Since then, we have sold the boat. A lot has changed in our lives.
I took this photo on my walk earlier the day
this post was first written.
I took TazE for a walk by the river. She loved it. Today it is snowy and blowy here… No river walks. But I will post a few pictures to show you what peaceful scenes our Madison River provides!
Many thanks to Ed Coyle for his talented photography
.
Come and visit us here someday!
Be at peace, my friends.
I gotcha covered in prayer. Have a peace-filled day.
Posted back in 2014, “The Power of God’s Love” was my response to reading Bob Goff’s book, “Love Does.” In today’s world here in the USA, one day away from one of the most crucial national elections in our democracy’s history, this message definitely is worth reblogging!!
May this message touch your heart strings and help you share a message of UNITY with those you encounter this week!
My 2014 Post:
Your hands are God’s heartststrings on earth. The love of God is demonstrated by YOUR love.
I just finished a New York Times bestseller by Bob Goff titled “Love Does.” My granddaughter loaned it to me at Christmas time with the highest of compliments: “I know you’ll enjoy this book, Grammy. I want you to read it and be sure to return it to me when I see you in February. I have other friends I want to loan it to, also.”
How wonderful that she knew this book would resonate with me. Chapter by chapter my husband and I enjoyed the book more than you can imagine. We vowed to read a chapter a day. There are 31 chapters. Some days we couldn’t put it down.
In 20 days we were finished with the book and now we are going back to reread some sections and internalize the messages. You will want to do the same. Here are a few excerpts:
“…make a difference by getting to the ‘do’ part of faith…love is never stationary…love doesn’t just keep thinking about it…Simply put, love does.”
“The world can make you think that love can be picked up at a garage sale or enveloped in a Hallmark card. But the kind of love that God created and demonstrated is a costly one because it involves sacrifice and presence.”
“What I’ve noticed… is that almost every time I type in the word love, it gets changed to live. It’s a kind of reminder to me… Fully loving and fully living are not only synonymous but the kind of life that Jesus invited us to be part of…”
So, I am off to be fully loving and fully living today. I will put God’s love into action today by sharing it with friends and looking for ways to live the way Bob Goff does. The subtitle on the cover of his book says, “Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World.” I want to be secretly incredible today. Don’t you?
Love Does. I like that title. It’s my walking orders. The power of God’s love is in your hands and mine. Let’s go DO God’s love today.
You with me?
If you are in the USA, be sure you have made your voice heard by casting your ballot.
God loves us… God loves you… I love you! Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
