Fourth Week of Advent

Devotions, Seasonal teaching
Dec 202011

Christ’s birth was foretold long before it actually occured. It is wonderful to read the prophecies in the Old Testament followed by the fulfillment in the New Testament — almost like digging into a mystery story. I am so glad we have scripture to explain scripture! I look forward to the day when the prophecies about his second coming are no longer mysterious but made clear by events. Here is one great prophecy in Isaiah:

 For to us a child is born,

   to us a son is given,

   and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 Of the greatness of his government and peace

   there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

   and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

   with justice and righteousness

   from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty

   will accomplish this.  Isaiah 9:2-7

Here is another:

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.  Isaiah 7:14

The fulfillment of these prophecies happened much later and they are recorded in Luke 1:26-38.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of reading this story. A virgin had a son. Barren Elizabeth had a son in her old age. With God all things are possible. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for us to be saved. “But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26

Christmas is the beginning of next week!

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A Leader Who Shines....Connects with Preparation

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday
Apr 202011

Submitted by Victoria Robinson

Live the Prepared Life. Preparation is an activity that is often attributed to God: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” 1Corinthians 2:9

It is also an activity that God wants for believers.  Before the Boy Scouts had the motto “Be Prepared” God called His people to live the prepared life!

The ministry of Jesus was introduced by John the Baptist who declared: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord” in Luke 3: 3-6.

Francis Frangipane has written:

“Repentance always precedes the coming forth of the living Christ in a person’s life. To prepare and make ready is the purpose of repentance.  Let us understand this: John’s repentance didn’t just make men sorry, it made men prepared.”

What does this prepared life look like?

First we start with repentance.  We must turn from anything that is keeping us from God’s best for us and purpose to live what we know is God’s will for our lives.

Second we see in 1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”  Our minds are “prepared for action” when we are prepared to pray, preach or die!

Pray

There are public service announcements that prepare us on what to do if our clothes catch on fire, to “Stop Drop and Roll!” As PWOC leaders we need to be prepared to “Stop, Drop and Pray!” This comes by daily having our hearts set to “pray without ceasing;” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Preach

“But in your hearts always set apart Christ as Lord, always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15

“Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary use words.”( Francis of Assisi)  We must be prepared to preach with or without words.

Die

It is said that the person who has settled where they will spend eternity is truly the person who is prepared to live their earthly life.  Paul said; “To me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

In John 14:2 we read the words of Jesus; “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

Jesus is preparing a wonderful place for us.  This is a powerful motivator to live a prepared life for Him!

Be prepared to pray, preach or die!

A familiar chorus gives us a prayer for the prepared life.

Lord Prepare me to be a sanctuary,

Pure and holy, tried and true

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living

Sanctuary for You

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One Thing People

President's Pen
Apr 062011

Submitted by: Beth Mills, PWOCI President

Luke 10:38-42

Mary and Martha were sisters in Bethany who were friends of Jesus and often welcomed Him and the disciples in their home. Martha exercised her gift of hospitality; however, at one point her desire to serve actually became a distraction rather than a gift. Her thoughts were distracted with worry and she became upset with her sister for not lending help in the preparations. Jesus’ answer to her complaints was that Mary had chosen the “one thing” that was needed, sitting at His feet and learning from Him in that moment. A good thing, her desire to be hospitable, actually distracted her from the “one thing” that was needed.

We have many “good things” in our lives that can actually become distractions from the “one thing” we need as well. Shuttling our children to and from after-school activities and sports, community involvement, social responsibilities to our military units, volunteer opportunities, serving in PWOC are all good things. But we mustn’t allow them to take precedence over the “one thing” that is needed–fostering a deeper relationship with God and learning from Him. Now is a wonderful time to take inventory of our activities, determining through prayer which ones we should lay aside so that we, like Paul, can “press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of [us].” (Philippians 3:12b)

Now is also the time for us in PWOC to look at what we’re doing at our installations, to ensure that the “good things” we do are actually fostering the “one thing” that is needed. From opening session to Bible studies, fellowship to outreach, we lead women to Christ and foster their growing knowledge of Him. Your PWOC has a unique makeup and calling to reach others with the love of Jesus. Determine to lay aside whatever distracts from that one thing, even if they’re “good things”, and press on toward attaining that goal.

May God bless you abundantly with His presence and His peace as you press in to do the “one thing” that is needed.

 

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10 more days till Christmas!

Seasonal teaching
Dec 152009

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:39-45 (NIV)

Ten more days until Christmas! Have you already been asked at least 10 times this week if you’re ready? It seemed that each time I heard that I’d feel a bit more anxious.  I know that it is one of those rhetorical pleasantries, but it really made me think and ask myself, “Am I Ready?” Being a good Army wife, I had to do a little research on readiness.  So, I went to my SOP, to come up with a plan and glean some strategies from others getting ready for ‘Christmas.’  I landed at Gabriel’s departure and Mary’s arrival at the door of Zechariah and Elizabeth.

What was Mary’s plan of action? She accepted her special commission, got up and got going to see the first issue of God’s great possibilities!

What was Elizabeth’s readiness response?  What was the response of the baby in her womb? Elizabeth received the favor and proclaimed the blessings of the Lord!  John leapt for joy!

My Assessment and Readiness Plan: Only through Christ is it possible for me to be shown the favor of being chosen, royal, holy, special and His own – one called out darkness and into His marvelous light!  The next time I’m asked if I’m “ready for Christmas” I will say, “Yes, I am blessed!” – and with great joy I’ll leap (with one foot or two, depending on the available space J)!

Oh, I can’t wait to be asked again!

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Prayer Points December 13-19

Prayer Points
Dec 112009

6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:6-8 (NIV)

I have heard this preached a thousand times.  We need to make room for the Christ Child.  We need to allow Him room, this is true.  But let’s think from a different perspective.   When the story is told, the Innkeeper is often described as harsh, greedy, or selfish.  They say he didn’t make room for Jesus.  Is that true?  He had a lot going on during that census.  He could have brushed Mary and Joseph off, but instead he DID find room.    He actually had the courage to give something to God that wasn’t perfect, that wasn’t “good”.  He just gave what He had.  He didn’t know that his willingness to share the humble things would be told around the world for centuries.  He didn’t know the comfort our hearts would receive today as we ponder a king who would leave His throne and palace to be born in an animal feeder for the purpose of dying to save us.   We praise Jesus humility for doing those things, but what about the inn keeper’s humility?  We would all rather show God to the guest rooms with the beautiful bedding and the sweet smelling soap.  But what about the barn out back? What about the failures, the mistakes, the shame.  What about the dangling issues we can’t figure out?  Do we have the humility to give ALL to Jesus and watch His glory shine through our own barns and mangers?

Dear Father,

I like to show you my good side.  I really like to fix myself and bring you a pretty package.  But I acknowledge that isn’t working out so well.  I have some things I am ashamed of.  I have some issues I can’t fix and I can’t control.  I willingly bring you my strengths and gifts.  Today I am letting you come to stay in the barn too.  Would you please come in to the weak, broken places today with your tender grace?  Thank you for not judging me or condemning me.  Thank you for forgiving me, healing me and wonder of wonders, loving me with a relentless passion through it all.  Oh God, your kindness leads me to repentance today.  I confess perfectionism as sin.  I confess hiding behind a mask.  Set me free, My Deliverer!  I surrender all.  Take it.  Take me.  Make me clean.  Draw me near to you again.  Come in; come in, King of Glory!  I am yours.

I love you so much!!  In Jesus Name, Amen.

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