Finding Deep and Wide Advent – Dec. 15th
Pause and reach for the marvelous opportunity that is ours to walk with the God of the whole universe today. Through Christ Jesus, we can come before Him without intricate steps, fancy prayer words, or prescribed formulas. That’s the Gospel. That’s the good news. Whether or not we build our lives into a home where God is welcomed and His Presence enjoyed will depend on whether
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 14th
We’re two weeks into December, and despite our sincere intentions, there’s a chance you and I have already lost the Christmas spirit once, if not a couple times. Am I right? If that’s you, let’s ask forgiveness and train our eyes back on Jesus! His company will be our reward! Being all too aware of how often we fall short of holy, it’s hard for us
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 13th
The perfect Christmas will never be found in the decorations, the gifts, or the food, but in a sincere celebration of the day Heaven’s King came to earth with baby fingers and baby toes. Ponder His purpose and worship: This holy child was born to die that fallen us might live. Grab a scrap of paper and print this next line out where you can see
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 12th
Enjoy the season. Give and receive with joy. But keep in mind even must-have gifts eventually lose their appeal and sought-after experiences fall short of expectations. There’s only One who will always be more than we are longing for—His name is Jesus. With Jesus, there are no diminishing returns; just divine, compelling answers to our deepest desires to know and be known. He satiates our soul
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 11th
There is more hope available to us today. There is more peace, more comfort, more joy, more of everything we need. God is at hand, offering more of Himself than any of us have experienced. Let’s reach for Him. God’s invitation is so much bigger than mere rescue because life is God’s idea and He wants to experience it with us. You and I were
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 10th
What is sustaining you this Christmas? And I’m not talking about coffee and chocolate versus smoothies and kale. (I know where I fall on that one!) This is a reminder that what we’re depending on or Who we’re drawing from is obvious to those around us. It’s called a food chain. We’ve heard of them, but do we realize we’re passing on what we’re feeding on?
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 9th
Trying to create a wonderful Christmas for someone else wearies the best of us. It’s also as futile as trying to earn God’s love when we already have it. This season is ours to enjoy, but we can miss it while we work for it! Let’s fire ourselves from the impossible job of making Christmas happen and let Jesus rule the day. There’s no comparison between
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 7th
We don’t have to participate in the Crazy Christmas Countdown. We can enjoy this day instead of seeing it as one less opportunity to get everything done. Here’s an idea: Let’s ask God to be God to us today. The very idea brings my blood pressure down, and it’s not even mine. It’s His! Over and over in the Scriptures, God expresses His intention to be
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 6th
Here’s a challenge for us all. Let’s expect God today to reveal Himself to us. Wherever we are and whatever task we’re marking off the Christmas list, let’s remind ourselves that God is near, ask Him to speak, and listen. I believe you and I experience God in our daily lives to the degree that we desire and expect to experience God. Our relationship with Him
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 5th
Believer, beware. It’s possible to get so caught up doing Christmas that we resort to coasting on the leftovers of our last devotional or worship service. Whether that be a conscious or unintentional decision, we’ll be weaker for it. Have you settled somewhere between coming to Jesus for eternal life and continuing to come to Him for abundant life? You’re not alone, and that’s not a