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| Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14) |
Advent is observed in numerous ways but generally noted with beautiful calendars, elaborate candles and special church services. It is also a welcome relief to the chaos of commercialism during Christmas as we know it. For us it signifies the season's True Meaning:
The coming of Jesus Christ into the world to save mankind from his sins. (Matthew 1:21) Advent is above all, the commemoration of His miraculous birth and the bold proclamation of the sovereignty and grace of the Lord that gives Believers eternal life.
SOMEBODY OUGHT TO SAY, AMEN!!!
After 400 Years of Silence, God finally speaks to this fallen world and He does it not with vengeance or bitterness but sweet, sweet, grace! A Savior wrapped in love, cushioned in compassion, and displayed humbly for all to see. From the potentates of royalty to the smelly shepherds fresh from their herds, God bade them all to come see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. (Luke 2:15)
Indeed, Christmas is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! But it is also a time to reflect and prepare for Christ's Second Advent! Again, it will be personal, visible, and glorious, but this time He comes not as a Babe in a manger but a King ruling and reigning and setting all in order! This is the blessed hope that all Christians should be praying for not just in this season but perpetually! (Titus 2:13)
My personal time of reflection and preparation is not limited to Advent! Several times a year: New Years Day; Lenten period and of course my birthday, I go back and read past journal entries! Yep! I'm one of those Weirdos! I've been journaling for years. It keeps me focused and helps me stay abreast of my spiritual needs and growth.
My entries are part prayer requests and answers; part sermon and study notes; part diary, and just personal conversations I've had with the Lord over the years!
I record my concerns and fears. My hopes and dreams. I vent...alot... finding emotional release pouring my heart out to the only One who really understands; and when God reveals something significant to me in His word or devotionals, I jot those down too! It has been what has kept me mentally stable most of my adult life.
As the Year 2020 approaches, I'm sensitive to the need to reflect and prepare for Christ's Second Coming even more! Do you feel me? I'm experiencing too many historical phenomenas in my life! Would you believe that this is the third time I've witnessed impeachment hearings of a United States President? Jesus has Got To Be On His Way!
Still, I know that there is much I need to do to prepare for His Second Advent! Paramount to that is Stay Focused On Things that Really Matter! I'm grateful that I was given a strategy in the leadership meeting I attended last evening.
My pastor issued a challenge to all of us in ministry to meditate on the following scripture:
"Know well the condition of your flocks
and give attention to your herds."
(Proverbs 27:23 ESV)
That's a pretty good plan don't you think?
My own flock is fairly expansive. I'm not only the matriarch of my family, but I have a cadre of Sister Saints I keep an eye on as advisor in women's ministry. There's my Adult Women's Sunday school class, a couple of Millennial sisters, some Older Saints who I counsel and seek advice from and of course, ANY OF YOU who take time to read this blog!
This particular scripture encapsulated our church's 2020 theme: FOCUS: Faith, Family, Finances, Future. I've learned through years of challenges that FOCUS AND PRIORITY are the keys to weathering any storm! Faith above all is foundational and will ensure success in the other three areas. Still you might want to consider the following:
😔 Do you have a personal relationship with Christ?
😔 Where might you strengthen familial relationships?
😔 Are your finances in order? Do you have a biblical/achievable plan to do so?
😔 Do you have a personal relationship with Christ?
😔 Where might you strengthen familial relationships?
😔 Are your finances in order? Do you have a biblical/achievable plan to do so?
😔 Do you have after life plans in place? Estate planning, Living will, Medical
Power of Attorney, funeral/burial insurance.
Christmas is not often the time one thinks about the future other than, how you will pay bills after overspending for the holidays! But Advent is perfect! For Christians our entire life is based on preparation for what will happen not only now but after we leave here.
What legacy will we leave? Will our life have mattered? Now is the time to give those two questions some thought!
Power of Attorney, funeral/burial insurance.
Christmas is not often the time one thinks about the future other than, how you will pay bills after overspending for the holidays! But Advent is perfect! For Christians our entire life is based on preparation for what will happen not only now but after we leave here.
What legacy will we leave? Will our life have mattered? Now is the time to give those two questions some thought!
UNTIL NEXT TIME...
If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR scroll to the bottom of my blog page at http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com click on the no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.
Hallelujah!!!
ReplyDeleteThis was awesome. I so much enjoy reading your blogs. they encourage me and sometimes convict me also corrects me. thank you so much for your servant heart to uplift, and build up sisters like myself. you are so appreciated more than you know.
Don't forget about me as you said "Know well the condition of your flocks
and give attention to your herds." :)
(Proverbs 27:23 ESV) ANY OF YOU who take time to read this blog!
You don’t know how much I appreciate YOU!!! So many times I feel doing this blog is a time waster! I don’t know who is even reading but without fail I get a note from you and I keep on because sometime as the song goes you have to ENCOURAGE YOURSELF! Bless you I’m so thankfull!
ReplyDelete💐👏🏾😍
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