Advent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

Zechariah 3:1-10

The Lord took away the filth, took away that which was unclean, and made the priest clean. The Lord is a God is at that takes away our sin, it was cast upon Jesus, and makes us clean again. You are not defined by your failures, by your sins, by your mistakes. You are not defined by the things you have done wrong. You are defined by the grace of God. That's what make you who you are. You are more than your mistakes, you are more than your history. You are more than whatever in your past steals you joy and sleep. You are more than these things.

You are a loved child of God. Go out and live like it today!

New Testament Lesson

Revelation 4:1-8

There's a lot in Revelation that I don't understand. I don't claim to be an expert, I don't claim on know all the details. I try to look at the book from a big picture view. And what does the big picture show us? We see here what heaven looks like - the worship of God. We see here the different parts of the court of heaven worship God, declaring His worth, declaring how worthy of praise He is.

And He is worthy of praise. No matter what is happening in your life, He is worthy of praise right now. All good gifts come from above, and no matter what is happening in your life, there is something good happening there. And, for that good thing, God deserves praise.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 24:45-51

The Lord tells us today - the wise are always ready. They live with an awareness of what is coming, they are prepared, the know that anytime could be our last breath. If today was last day, would you be able to look back at your life with pride? Are you proud of the way you've lived? Are you proud of what you've accomplished?

Today is a new day! Let's live in such a way that we honor God and help each other out! There's so much for us to do. Let's be faithful to God, and faithful to each other. And know that it's all in God's hands.