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God is Doing a New Thing
It’s a new year, a new beginning. And we at The Upper Room feel the excitement Read More
Laceye Warner | Read Luke 21:25-28
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Sign Up TodayThis Sunday marks the beginning of Advent, a season of hopeful preparation for and expectation of Jesus Christ’s coming. Advent is an ancient Christian tradition and, for most faith communities, it begins the church year with distinctive scriptures, music, and practices to prepare for Jesus’ birth, as well as the...
Reflect upon the many promises God keeps in relationship with us and all creation—and in prayer, give thanks to God.
As we prepare our hearts for Advent, the celebration of Jesus’ first coming, we remember in Jeremiah that the birth of Jesus has a deep background, a background rooted in God’s promise to David. Psalm 25, traditionally credited to David, speaks of God’s faithfulness to those who follow the paths of the Lord. David asks God to teach him to follow God’s paths even more closely. The New Testament readings actually point us toward Jesus’ second coming. Paul encourages the Thessalonians to excel in holiness and love while they wait. In Luke, Jesus discusses the coming of the kingdom in a passage that some find confusing. We note that he focuses not on the exact time frame of the arrival of the kingdom but on our need to be alert.
• Read Jeremiah 33:14-16. What has been your experience with a promise-making and promise-keeping God?
• Read Psalm 25:1-10. How do you perceive God’s instruction in your life?
• Read 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13. How has God’s presence buoyed you up in times of persecution or distress?
• Read Luke 21:25-36. What is your Advent posture this year? If “believing is seeing” were true in your life, what would you see?
Respond by posting a prayer.
"God doesn’t just save us for heaven in the future. God saves our hearts and souls and bodies in the here and now. God cares about our whole person, just as we are." Read more.
