Advent Devotion from Society of St. Andrew "Advent Devotions 2016" of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Tuesday, December 20, 2016 "Big Angels Showed Up"
Scripture: Luke 1:13
Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Z’kharyah; because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elisheva will bear you a son, and you are to name him Yochanan.
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I love when God sends angels reminding us not to be afraid! One example that comes is in Luke, “But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.” He prayed, and God answered. Like many parents, I pray for my children’s safety and well-being. There is one occasion of prayer I’ll never forget. It involved my daughter, who was away at law school, scheduled for 3 days of grueling bar exams. To say the least, she was nearly paralyzed with fear and of failing. Her quavering voice on the phone echoed her fear.
I prayed that God would calm her heart, and give her focus and clarity to do her best. That night in my dreams, I saw my daughter, as a young child, sitting at a small desk, and writing. Surrounding her were many, many big angels, standing shoulder to shoulder. They were filled with light and were alive with power and strength. She was calm. I slept peacefully.
The next day, I asked my daughter about her first day. She said quietly, “It was peaceful. I sat down, wrote, and finished before everyone else. I’m not sure how it happened.” My heart rejoiced. Today, I know that God still sends me ‘big angels’, I need but ask.
Prayer: Dear Father, during this Advent season, we thank for your grace and love. We are now free to share your love in the world, without fear. Amen. [Deb Broadwater, Moneta, Virginia]
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Advent Devotion from Society of St. Andrew "Advent Devotions 2016" of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Monday, December 19, 2016 "Roaring Lion"
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6a, 7 (NKJV Preferred)
1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you(NKJV)
1 Peter 5:6 Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time he may lift you up. 7 Throw all your anxieties upon him, because he cares about you.(CJB)
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Immediately following this verse, Peter warns that our Adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Be vigilant. Be sober.
Is Advent just a story about a sweet baby boy asleep on the hay long ago and far away? Imagine what fears and anxieties faced Mary and Joseph! “What will our family and friends think? How will we pay the taxes and make that long trek to Bethlehem? Where will we stay? Herod’s a madman! Will our baby be safe?” But the angel said, “Be not afraid.”
Is there a lion walking about loose in your life? What’s eating you today? Gnawing at your soul? Who’s rattled your cage? Whose loud roar do you hear ringing in your ears? Still ringing in your heart at night? “How will I pay these bills? Will I lose my job? Is my child on drugs? What will my test results be? What else can go wrong?” God still sends angels. And their message is still, “Be not afraid.”
Prayer: Like Mary and Joseph, we humble ourselves under your mighty hand, O Lord, casting all our cares upon your son Jesus for we know He cares for us. Amen. [William Nash Wade, Strasburg, Virginia]
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6a, 7 (NKJV Preferred)
1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you(NKJV)
1 Peter 5:6 Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time he may lift you up. 7 Throw all your anxieties upon him, because he cares about you.(CJB)
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Immediately following this verse, Peter warns that our Adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Be vigilant. Be sober.
Is Advent just a story about a sweet baby boy asleep on the hay long ago and far away? Imagine what fears and anxieties faced Mary and Joseph! “What will our family and friends think? How will we pay the taxes and make that long trek to Bethlehem? Where will we stay? Herod’s a madman! Will our baby be safe?” But the angel said, “Be not afraid.”
Is there a lion walking about loose in your life? What’s eating you today? Gnawing at your soul? Who’s rattled your cage? Whose loud roar do you hear ringing in your ears? Still ringing in your heart at night? “How will I pay these bills? Will I lose my job? Is my child on drugs? What will my test results be? What else can go wrong?” God still sends angels. And their message is still, “Be not afraid.”
Prayer: Like Mary and Joseph, we humble ourselves under your mighty hand, O Lord, casting all our cares upon your son Jesus for we know He cares for us. Amen. [William Nash Wade, Strasburg, 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.
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3383 Sweet Hollow Road
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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