Advent: Peace

As we continue in this season of advent, we light the peace candle.  This candle represents the peace that we have through Jesus who is the Prince of Peace.  Romans 5 reminds us that, “since we have been justified by faith, we have peace through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  This week we rejoice in the peace that we have through faith in Jesus.

Luke 2:11-15

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

“Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

This Is Jesus

O Holy Night

Advent: Hope

As we begin the season of advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The first candle we light represents Hope. The hope that we have through Jesus Christ. Hope is a belief because of trust. As we light the candle, we are reminded of the Hope of Salvation that we hold fast to because of who Jesus is.

Isaiah 9:6-7

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

O Come Let Us Adore Him

What Child Is This?

King of Kings

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do no lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Songs of Response

How Great Thou Art

We recognize the divine and loving Nature of God. He created us! He loved us so much that he sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sin! We will be with him in a new heaven and a new earth!

Be Thou My Vision

Our sin nature causes us to desire the things of this world. We don’t rely on our own understanding but we rely on God. That when our eyes deceive us, He would be our vision.

This We Know

Because we know that the Lord has dominion, we fear the Lord and turn away from evil. We trust in him knowing that it will be “healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones”.

Psalm 118:14-18

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,

the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”

I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.

The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.

Devotional Questions

1. Do you rely on the Lord for your strength and salvation?
2. What does it mean that the Lord disciplines but does not give us over to death?

Glorious Day

Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery

Living Hope

Romans 5:8

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Devotional Questions

1. What does it mean to you that Christ would die for you while you were still a sinner?
2. How does this change how you show grace to others?

All the Earth

Lord I Need You

Jesus Paid It All

Hebrews 13:8

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.”

Devotional Questions

1. What does it mean that Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow?
2. How does this inform your view of Christ’s character?
3. Knowing that the character of Christ stays the same. Praise the Lord for his Character and Promises stay the same!

I See the Lord

What A Beautiful Name

Yes I Will

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord aways; again I will say rejoice.

Let you reasonableness be known to everyone.

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your request be made known to God.

And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus

Devotional Questions

1. What is something that you’re anxious or worried about this week? Ask for God’s help with that situation. (v. 6)
2. Trust God with whatever that is. God has dominion over everything so, he is worthy of our trust. When we trust God we find the “peace of God which surpasses all understanding”. (v. 7)

Songs

Nothing But the Blood

King of Kings

O Praise the Name

Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,

according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church

and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Devotional Questions

1. Who’s strength are you relying on?
2. What does it mean to rely on Christ’s Strength? How does this impact you?

Oh Our Lord

Over All I Know

Cornerstone

Already-Not-Yet: Truth

The Kingdom of God is the already-not-yet state of truth and grace and life with God because of Jesus.

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Devotional Questions

1. What does it mean that Jesus is the truth?
2. Praise God that he gave us access to himself through Jesus’ death on a cross.

Glorious Day

Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery

Worthy of Your Name

Already-Not-Yet: Grace

The Kingdom of God is the already-not-yet state of truth and grace and life with God because of Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by Grace you have been saved through faith.

And it is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

not a result of works so that no one may boast.

Devotional Questions

1. How do we experience God’s grace in our lives today?
2. Why is it important that grace comes through faith and not “our own doing”?

Glorious Day (New Song)

Lord I Need You

King of Kings