Advent Devotion from Society of St. Andrew "Advent Devotions 2016" of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Sunday, December 25 ~ Christmas Day "No Room for Fear"
Scripture: Mark 4:40
Mark 4:40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no trust even now?”
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There really is no room in our lives for fear, if we believe that the Lord’s goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives. Faith—even small faith, questioning faith, and wounded faith—will draw us into the peace of Christ.
Over the years, when finances got tight, I prayed while paying bills: “God provides.” When loved ones faced surgery or severe illness, I prayed, “God, you are the Great Comforter.” When obedience to Christ’s call meant moving away from family, I prayed “God, you know our needs.”
Standing on the promises in God’s Word, assured of Christ’s presence, every day I choose to trade a narrative of fear, lack, brokenness, division, and guilt, for a theology of peace, provision, wholeness, reconciliation, and love.
Faith allows us to persevere in spite of fear by connecting us with the eternal rest of God—God who is Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. What-ever the worst is that can happen to us, God is greater. When we put our trust in the God of Life, then all fear must bow to Emmanuel, God with us.
Prayer: God with us, I tend to cling to the familiar, including worry and fear. Help me completely trust you, so that I can be a better witness to the mission of Jesus, who shows us the love you have for the world. Amen.[Katy Yates Brungraber, Brownsville, Pennsylvania]
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Advent Devotion from Society of St. Andrew "Advent Devotions 2016" of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Saturday, December 24 "Comfort and Joy"
Scripture: Luke 1:78-79
Luke 1:78 through our God’s most tender mercy,
which causes the Sunrise to visit us from Heaven,
79 to shine on those in darkness, living in the shadow of death,[Luke 1:79 Isaiah 9:1(2)]
and to guide our feet into the paths of peace.”
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This is the first year many parishioners at my husband’s church are facing Christmas without a cherished loved one. Having survived this experience, I remember all too well the fears associated with that “first” holiday season. Will family traditions change? Should I go to the party? Can I keep it together long enough to get home? Grieving through Advent is bittersweet. Yet with prayer and persistent faith, God provides enlightenment. As the pain lessens and fears wain, our Father reminds us our loved ones have journeyed on, engulfing us with a sense of peace. As angels brought good news of great joy to the shepherds two thousand years ago, proclaiming Jesus’ birth, Jesus does the same for us. His message from the Great Commission continues comfort us in our distress: “Remember, I am with you to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Prayer: Dear Lord, as Zechariah prayed, “Guide our feet into the way of peace.” Remind us to rely on your son, the Prince of Peace, when facing difficult times. Amen. [Kelly Desclos-Estes, Montross, Virginia]
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Advent Devotion from Society of St. Andrew "Advent Devotions 2016" of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Friday, December 23 "Leaf Peeping and Listening to the Angel"
Scripture: Joshua 1:9 (NRSV Preferred)
Joshua 1:9 I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (NRSV)
Joshua 1:9 Haven’t I ordered you, ‘Be strong, be bold’? So don’t be afraid or downhearted, because Adonai your God is with you wherever you go.” (CJB)
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My husband and I were relatively young when we first became “leaf peepers,” making trips to New England to see the brilliant fall foliage and to explore historical sites. We had already scheduled a return trip for late September 2001, when the 9/11 tragedy occurred. How numb and devastated we were, watching the planes fly through the towers and seeing the towers crumble to the ground over and over on TV. Then came contact with friends who were stranded in New York, trying to get back home. How could we possibly be thinking about making a trip to the same part of the country that was under attack? I was so conflicted. Then, an angel (disguised as my mother) said: “Do not live in fear. Trust in God and go on with your life.” I immediately felt at peace.
Throughout the trip, we were amazed at our feelings of connection and community with all the people we encountered in the cities and little towns. Everyone had a flag displayed and some cities had street after street lined with flags. When we stopped for snacks in the small villages, we hugged the shopkeepers and they hugged us back. It was the most amazing trip we had ever taken. All differences melted away—we were united in spirit. What a healing experience for us and our country.
Prayer: Thank you God for showing us wondrous paths when we turn from fear and trust in your faithfulness. Amen.[Gayle Fiser, Little Rock, Arkansas]
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Advent Devotion from Society of St. Andrew "Advent Devotions 2016" of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Thursday, December 22 "Do Not Be Afraid to Speak Up"
Scripture: Ezekiel 2:6
Ezekiel 2:6 “As for you, human being, don’t be afraid of them or their words, even if briars and thorns surround you, and you sit among scorpions. Don’t be afraid of their words or be upset by their looks, for they are a rebellious house.
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When I began in sales in the early 1990s, one of my most difficult tasks was actually asking for the sale. I was gifted at conversing with folks, but asking for the sale was difficult. A mentor at that time frequently encouraged me, saying not to be afraid of the response. Whether the client said yes or no, I would still be who I was, a salesman.
When I was called into ministry in about 2005, I was certain that my call was to be a deacon in the church, dedicated to service. I was especially terrified of speaking in front of crowds, so I knew that preaching would not be a path for me. I was wrong. The discernment process brought me to reality: God desired me to do something very uncomfortable. God kept telling me, “Do not be afraid, and speak up.”
Ezekiel the prophet was sent into a fearful place to bring God’s word, a place of rebels that had transgressed against God. God told Ezekiel, “Do not be afraid of them.” Each of us have this same call, I think. We are called to “not be afraid and speak up.” For whether others listen or not, we are still children of God who share the love of our Father, expressed in the Son, Christ Jesus. We are empowered by the Spirit.
Prayer: O Lord, let us not be afraid, but courageous to speak up, so that others may come to know your divine love for themselves. Amen.[Andy Brock, Winchester, Virginia]
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Advent Devotion from Society of St. Andrew "Advent Devotions 2016" of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Wednesday, December 21, 2016 "The Source
Scripture: Psalm 27:1 (NRSV Preferred)
Psalm 27:Triumphant Song of Confidence
Of David.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold[Psalm 27:1 Or refuge] of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?(NRSV)
Psalm 27:(0) By David:
(1) Adonai is my light and salvation;
whom do I need to fear?
Adonai is the stronghold of my life;
of whom should I be afraid?(CJB)
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There is always sadness at the death of people we love, even when we know a better life for them has begun. After years of illness and a final struggle with lung cancer, my husband peacefully moved into eternity. He was ready to go. The family was ready to let him. We rejoiced that he would no longer feel pain, no longer be concerned with conflicts of this world.
In the midst of thanksgiving for his relief and his life, something dark crept into my soul and would not leave. Fear reached out, seized me in its tentacles: fear of living without my companion of almost 59 years, fear of the future. So many questions begged for answers. Decisions had to be made. My efforts to break fear’s hold were futile.
As the months have gone by, I have realized the power to move forward unafraid was and is not within me, but in God. The words from Psalm 27 could be read “‘What’ shall I fear? . . . Of ‘what’ shall I be afraid?” The unseen is often more frightening than the known. Daily I remind myself that God alone is the source of light, salvation and strength. At Advent, the words of the angel to Mary, Zechariah, and the shepherds not to be afraid have new meaning.
Prayer: Lord, speak to us once more the words of the angel, “Do not be afraid.” Give peace and joy as we look forward to the good news of Christmas that Messiah has come. [Anne Ownbey, Black Mountain, North Carolina]
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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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