Last night there were thousands of people at the Holiday Boat Parade even with the misty rain. Yesterday afternoon watching the Alabame/Georgia football game the stadium was packed. This time of year many times when you go into a store it is packed. It saddens me to think of how many pastors will stand in the pulpit today to empty pews. The saying "Jesus Is The Reason For The Season" doesn't seem to mean much to so many people. There will be the 'C & E' people who will go to church on Christmas but if we aren't regular in church attendance we miss out so much. Paul's words in Hebrews 11:23-25 read in the New International Version:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hope is today's theme for this first Sunday of Advent. He is the Hope we find on this earth so we can live with Him for eternity. There are so many people who feel hopeless yet Jesus came to this earth so we can have hope. I know you do not have to go to church to have Jesus but I also know when we fellowship with one another, receive teaching from His Word, join with others praying together, etc., our faith is renewed and goes deeper. The parade, football game, stores, etc. that are packed cannot give us what we need. They give temporary enjoyment but Jesus gives permanent enjoyment. They give satisfaction for a moment but Jesus gives total satisfaction for all time. We need to have balance in our life. Jesus wants us to enjoy life and experience such things as a football game, parade, shopping, etc. but He also wants us to be living focused on Him so we can truly know Him as our Hope. We all need to get better at sharing the hope of Him with others. We need to encourage one another to love with His love so more people will have the goal of eternity with Him. Matthew Henry wrote of these verses:
Believers are to consider how they can be of service to each other, especially stirring up each other to the more vigorous and abundant exercise of love, and the practice of good works. The communion of saints is a great help and privilege, and a means of steadfastness and perseverance.
If we desire to have hope in Him, we must have the desire to love with His love. We must be willing to see things as He sees them and react with His attitude. This is sometimes hard in our humanness but it is not impossible to do. This Christmas season I desire to have my focus totally on Him so the days ahead will be filled with His hope. I desire to share His love more intentionally so others can receive His hope. I am reminded this morning of a song Matthew West sings called, "The Hope of Christmas"...
You're still the hope of Christmas
You're still the light when the world looks dark
You're still the hope of Christmas
And You're still the hope of my heart
Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead today! Thank You for the memories Doug and I made yesterday! Thank You for the privilege to pray for pastors before going to bed, during the night, and again this morning! Cleanse me so You can fill me so people will see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I pray Your hope over many going through difficult days. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Doug's sister Jackie; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Beth; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; Brooklyn; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Chrissy’s cousin; Mike's sister; Shirley Jones; Little Judson; a young girl in our community; Audrey; Mr Mullet; Marybeth's friend; David; Dave and Carol with his treatments; Dan; and Ray. I pray for: the Long family; Becky; Baby Sabre and her family; Debbie and her family; Mr. John; Darrell; Mallory and Baby Zion; and Russ. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam! Thank You for being My Hope! Amen.
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