Advent 2025: You’re Not Alone
THE FOLLOWING IS A DEVOTIONAL I WROTE DURING THE COVID-19 CHRISTMAS SEASON
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 1:23 NLT
The Christmas season not only brings joy, happiness, and hope for the New Year, but also with it comes the sadness for those who are no longer with us. There is not a year that goes by that many of us have not experience the loss of a loved one during the year. Perhaps this year more than any other there are more of us who have realized this and in increasing number. There will be empty places at the table that were once filled with warm smiling faces. Familiar voices will be heard only by captured video throughout the years that are shared. There will be some joy in the remembrance of them, but the emptiness continues to be felt and those moments when we are alone are too difficult to overcome. But, for Christians, we are not alone.
One of the most comforting verses in all of scripture is Matthew 1:23 for it says, “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” Yes, God was with us in the flesh as Jesus walked the earth for thirty-three years before His death on the cross. And due to His death and resurrection, those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savoir have God, the Holy Spirit with us at all times. My friend, if you’re a Christian, You’re not alone.
Jesus is with us through the Holy Spirit and He has promised “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5) We have the assurance that those who have gone on before us are in the presence of their Lord and Savior. And our Lord and Savior is with us also in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Take comfort this Christmas season that you are not alone even though the void of your loved one is real. But Jesus is also real. He knows your grief, and He is with you. He came to offer you Salvation so you will not be separated from Him forever. He came that He would be with you so that you will be not alone. He came because He loves you and He loves those who are now in His presence. You’re not alone!
Advent 2025: Guest post from ‘My Life in Our Father’s World”
Misplaced Priorities
Read: Haggai 1 NLT – A Call to Rebuild the Temple – On – Bible Gateway
“Then the LORD sent this message through the prophet Haggai: ‘Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?’” Haggai 1:3-4 NLT
Christians have a whole different set of priorities than non-Christians, or do we? Afterall the Lord has richly blessed us, and we are more than willing to support the church financially, or are we? The Lord God has bestowed upon us natural gives of ability and certain spiritual gifts which, of course, we use in service for Him, well maybe not. Jesus Christ opened the door of salvation for us by dying on the cross and we are eager to open that door to others, I wish that were true. Now, all this may seem harsh, and I am not calling out anyone. It is for all of us who proclaimed the name of Christ to self-examine if we have misplaced priorities in our life, me included.
After seventy years in captivity the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem. They restored worship and preceded to lay the foundation to rebuild the temple that was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. The work started with joy and praise to God for their return to the homeland, but soon the work was stopped due to opposition. It was during this time of hostility against them the Jews backed off rebuilding the temple. The focus became restoring their lives first even using the building material designated for the house of Lord for their own homes. The Lord sent the prophet Haggai to confront them and encouraged them to get their priorities in order and finish building the temple.
Christians today have as much opposition against them as the Jews of ancient days. It is just as easy for us to back off the Lord’s work. But we are reminded the Holy Spirit is with us and we need not be afraid or intimidated. The effects of misplaced priorities can have devastating results as the prophet Haggai explained to the Jews in Jerusalem. Concentrating only on themselves they were always lacking, coming up short. The Lord God did not bless their efforts. Haggai tells the people, “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you!” (Hag.1:7 nlt) When we find ourselves in similar circumstances it just may be the Lord getting our attention to recognize our misplaced priorities.
Advent 2025: Guest Writer Rainer Bantau
Advent 2025: Christ’s Victory Over Satan
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 NIV
This Sunday we are at the start of the advent season. Four ‘Advent Sundays’ that lead up towards the 25th day of December, Christmas Day. Most advent calendars will begin on December 1st and count down the twenty-four days before Christmas. Great anticipation builds as the big day approaches, especially for the children in our lives. That’s not to say that adults take a passive attitude towards it, we just don’t show it as much. Well imagine waiting 6,500 years for Christmas day, it did happen and it was worth the wait.
Genesis chapter 3 gives the beginning of the story in a well-known story, Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit. Our first parents sinned against God spiraling the entire human race into a sin nature. Paul writes in the book of Romans, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Ro.3:23 niv) Sin had entered the world alienating each of us from God. We needed a way to be reconciled back to the Lord and God had a plan right from the beginning. He would send His Son Jesus to reconcile us back to Him.
God said to Satan, the evil one, there will be hostility between your seed (the spiritual descendants of Satan) and her seed (those in the family of God). “He (Jesus) will crush your head, and you (Satan) will strike his heel.” (Gen.3:15 niv) This is a portrait of the cross. Jesus defeated Satan at the cross even though Satan was allowed to inflict suffering on the savior, but as His suffering led to Jesus’ death it paid the penalty for our sin. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead assuring us of eternal life. Satan was defeated.
The promise was made. A savior was born, His name is Jesus, and He will save His people from their sins. It was a long first advent, but it came. ‘Joy to the World’ the Lord has come. Have you accepted God’s plan of salvation?
Advent 2025: Guest Writer Nathan R. Dooley
Turn us again to yourself, O God
Read: Psalm 80:3-7 NLT – Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make – Bible Gateway
“Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.” Psalm 80:3 NLT
As I write this on Thanksgiving day, the United States has yet faced another tragedy on the day before this holiday of thanks. Two of our brave National Guard are fighting for their very lives as they were targeted and shot on the streets of our nation’s capital for doing their job to protect American citizens. There should be such an outcry that it is heard in every corner of the world. I say every corner of the world because it affects every nation and every person in wherever country they live.
That outcry needs to be what the psalmist wrote when pleading for restoration after Israel was plummeted by a foreign power. “Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.” (Ps.80:3 nlt) Israel had repeatedly sinned against God being warned countless times they continued to turn their back on God, therefore their destruction. The United States has turned its back on God, and we continue to do so. There have been recent attempts to right the ship and I pray they will continue to move forward, but what is needed is a total commitment to return to the country’s founding Judea-Christian principles found only in the Word of God.
There is a sense that God’s hand of judgment is on America. If you think not, take time to read through the history of fallen nations and empires examining the culture and practices of their day and compare them to America in 2025. I think you will see a remarkable resemblance. I do not believe that all is lost, but we are on the verge of losing it all if we do not turn ourselves back to God so He will turn us again back to Himself.
What Are Your Plans?
“We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives. Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:1-3 NLT
How often have you been asked by someone ‘what are your plans?’ It could relate to a number of issues. The question is usually prompted by a change of circumstances in your life whether good or bad. This change could have been long anticipated or has come along suddenly. Whatever the case, plans need to be made for your current situation.
So, what are your plans and have you included the Lord in your plans, whatever they may be? If not, it is important that you do so. You may have not included God in your plans, but He has included you in His plans. ‘“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jer.29:11 niv) It only stands to reason to include God for he knows what you’re going to do anyway. It would be smart for us to have our plans coincide with His.
Our plans can only be accomplished by the Lord giving us the ability. Solomon has a couple of Proverbs we can point to help us understand this. “We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer……Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” (Prov.16:1, 3 nlt) Working out plans on our own is never a good idea. Submitting our plans to God and committing our work fully to Him will result in success. His success for us, not what we think success looks like, but what gives God all the glory. May we include the Lord in all our plans having Him adapt them to His perfect plan.
Thanksgiving and Prayer Go Together
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Today America celebrates Thanksgiving day. Scheduled on the fourth Thursday each November, America pauses to give thanks for the many blessings afforded to her. Of course, by America I’m referring to the American people within the borders of the United States. There are many Americans who live abroad for various reasons, such as our armed force, and they most certainly are included in celebrating Thanksgiving.
Many traditions in America have developed over the years for Thanksgiving. We have Mr. Tom Turkey at the head of the table along with all his ‘fixing’ friends. Several major cities have Thanksgiving day parades which are televised and brought into our homes as the turkey is cooking. Families gather throughout the day for the Thanksgiving meal and to top off the pumpkin pie we have whipped cream and football.
Another tradition, and the most important one, is the Thanksgiving prayer before partaking of the meal. Admitting, not all hold to this tradition, but it seems a large majority do. Gathering together to express thanks for the blessings throughout the year we should direct those thanks to one responsible, the Lord God. It seems only natural that Thanksgiving and prayer go together, the giving of thanks through prayer on this special day.
The apostle Paul gives us another angle to thanksgiving and prayer going together. Paul tells us to pray bringing our requests to God ‘with thanksgiving.’ Our prayers to God should always show our gratitude in being able to freely ask God anything. We also thank Him ahead of time for His answer to our prayers according to His will and what is best for us. Thanksgiving and prayer go together every day and not just on Thanksgiving. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Word for the Soul 