Advent Devotion from Society of St. Andrew "Advent Devotions 2016" of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Monday, December 12, 2016 "Being Mindful in the Midst of Fear"
Scripture: Psalm 100:4
Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
enter his courtyards with praise;
give thanks to him, and bless his name.
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After ten years of being cancer-free, my cancer returned in 2015. In the midst of this round of illness I have found that remembering to be thankful helps reduce my fear.
I am thankful that I have completed the radiation and chemo treatments, neither of which I experienced last time. I am thankful for a husband who has faithfully been my caregiver in so many ways. Most of all, I am thankful for the friends who helped me get to medical appointments and who wrote notes of encouragement. Hundreds of them filled our mailbox with prayers that kept reminding me how constantly faithful God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me to be thankful during this time of suffering. My fear of the new journey has been greatly reduced. Amen. [Nora Ramirez, Winter Haven, Florida]-------
John 14:27 “What I am leaving with you is shalom — I am giving you my shalom. I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened.
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In my Air Force career, I started out as a systems engineer. In that capacity, I often had to deal with some pretty complex concepts. One technique I occasionally found helpful was to approach the concept from the backside, by considering its opposite. Fear can be pretty complex, so I’ve been reflecting on what fear is not. I found several possibilities online, but I kept looking, until I stumbled on “peace.” That works for me.
Christ’s peace is not of this world. The world defines “peace” by the absence of conflict. But even absent conflict, my busy brain can still find things to fear! Jesus, on the other hand, offers a perfect peace, defined not by absence, but by presence… the presence of love, through the One who is love. Throughout my 32 year vocational life, I’ve faced many situations where I didn’t know what the future would hold. But with the Prince of Peace guiding my life, my fears yield to their opposite: “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guarding my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
So as you pass the peace of Christ in worship during this Advent season, consider it your cooperation with Christ in driving out fear!
Prayer: Gracious Lord, transform the angels’ greetings of “Fear not,” from words long ago and far away, into your incarnate Word for us here and now, bringing us your peace. Amen.[Charlie Stribula, Woodbridge, Virginia]
Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you;
Recently, my wife and I have had medical tests and appointments, for which we carried fear about the outcomes. While we have been blessed to reach our current ages, we recognize that we are slowing down and that various repairs are needed for our earthly bodies. We are also keenly aware that we are entering the same age range our parents were when they began having more medical problems.
The prophet Isaiah spoke to the people of Israel in their time of darkness and fear, reminding them of his great love, compassion, and source of strength. Likewise, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:6-7: “So we are always of good courage; we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.” This is my challenge, to have a faith that surpasses my fear, reminding me that God does not abandon us as we age, and that our true home is not in these bodies we inhabit here on earth. The words of scripture comfort me in times when fear lurks.
I am still a work in progress, learning to let my fears and worries go. Yet, I know God is in control and gives me the strength and courage I need to persevere in times of sickness, health challenges, and aging. Praise God! For none of us will ever be alone!
Prayer: We praise you, Lord, knowing you are our source of strength and steadfast love. Give us courage to face our advancing years. Amen. [Bob Brooks, Fredericksburg, Virginia]
The Society of St. Andrew is a national nonprofit hunger-relief ministry that rescues 25-30 million pounds of fresh, nutritious, excess produce each year that would otherwise go to waste for various marketing reasons. This food is then distributed to critical feeding agencies across the country at no cost to the agencies or the hungry people they serve. More information about the Society of St. Andrew and its hunger-relief programs - Gleaning Network, Potato & Produce Project, and Harvest of Hope is available online at EndHunger.org.
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I am thankful that I have completed the radiation and chemo treatments, neither of which I experienced last time. I am thankful for a husband who has faithfully been my caregiver in so many ways. Most of all, I am thankful for the friends who helped me get to medical appointments and who wrote notes of encouragement. Hundreds of them filled our mailbox with prayers that kept reminding me how constantly faithful God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me to be thankful during this time of suffering. My fear of the new journey has been greatly reduced. Amen. [Nora Ramirez, Winter Haven, Florida]-------
Advent Devotion from Society of St. Andrew "Advent Devotions 2016" of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Sunday, December 11, 2016 "Fear ... Not!"
Scripture: John 14:27John 14:27 “What I am leaving with you is shalom — I am giving you my shalom. I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened.
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In my Air Force career, I started out as a systems engineer. In that capacity, I often had to deal with some pretty complex concepts. One technique I occasionally found helpful was to approach the concept from the backside, by considering its opposite. Fear can be pretty complex, so I’ve been reflecting on what fear is not. I found several possibilities online, but I kept looking, until I stumbled on “peace.” That works for me.
Christ’s peace is not of this world. The world defines “peace” by the absence of conflict. But even absent conflict, my busy brain can still find things to fear! Jesus, on the other hand, offers a perfect peace, defined not by absence, but by presence… the presence of love, through the One who is love. Throughout my 32 year vocational life, I’ve faced many situations where I didn’t know what the future would hold. But with the Prince of Peace guiding my life, my fears yield to their opposite: “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guarding my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
So as you pass the peace of Christ in worship during this Advent season, consider it your cooperation with Christ in driving out fear!
Prayer: Gracious Lord, transform the angels’ greetings of “Fear not,” from words long ago and far away, into your incarnate Word for us here and now, bringing us your peace. Amen.[Charlie Stribula, Woodbridge, Virginia]
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Advent Devotion from Society of St. Andrew "Advent Devotions 2016" of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Saturday, December 10, 2016 "Growing Old ... Not for the Faint of Heart!"
Scripture: Isaiah 41:10Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you;
don’t be distressed, for I am your God.
I give you strength, I give you help,
I support you with my victorious right hand.
-------Recently, my wife and I have had medical tests and appointments, for which we carried fear about the outcomes. While we have been blessed to reach our current ages, we recognize that we are slowing down and that various repairs are needed for our earthly bodies. We are also keenly aware that we are entering the same age range our parents were when they began having more medical problems.
The prophet Isaiah spoke to the people of Israel in their time of darkness and fear, reminding them of his great love, compassion, and source of strength. Likewise, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:6-7: “So we are always of good courage; we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.” This is my challenge, to have a faith that surpasses my fear, reminding me that God does not abandon us as we age, and that our true home is not in these bodies we inhabit here on earth. The words of scripture comfort me in times when fear lurks.
I am still a work in progress, learning to let my fears and worries go. Yet, I know God is in control and gives me the strength and courage I need to persevere in times of sickness, health challenges, and aging. Praise God! For none of us will ever be alone!
Prayer: We praise you, Lord, knowing you are our source of strength and steadfast love. Give us courage to face our advancing years. Amen. [Bob Brooks, Fredericksburg, Virginia]
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The Society of St. Andrew is a national nonprofit hunger-relief ministry that rescues 25-30 million pounds of fresh, nutritious, excess produce each year that would otherwise go to waste for various marketing reasons. This food is then distributed to critical feeding agencies across the country at no cost to the agencies or the hungry people they serve. More information about the Society of St. Andrew and its hunger-relief programs - Gleaning Network, Potato & Produce Project, and Harvest of Hope is available online at EndHunger.org.FacebookTwitterPinterestsosapr@endhunger.org
3383 Sweet Hollow Road
Big Island, Virginia 24526, United States
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