Matthew 1:22-23

 

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel which means, God with us.

 

 

Creator God, You know our fears and our future, and You know we need You. Give us trusting spirits and obedient hearts to grasp Your wonderful command Do not be afraid.

 

C. Neil Strait, Advent Moments

 

 

The Hope of God’s Kingdom Begins Small:                                                                    Luke 13:18-19

Then Jesus asked, What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.

 

1.         Advent promises new life.                                                             John 8:11

 

2.         Advent promises forgiveness of sin.                                              John 3:17

 

3.         Advent delivers the Gift of heaven.                                          Luke 1:46-56

 

 

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

 

 

The Hope of God Is Realized Through Participation:                                             Philippians 2:12-13

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

 

1.         Hope is discovered through the study of Gods Word .                  1 Peter 1:3

 

2.         Hope is deepened through personal ministry .                              Titus 1:1-2

 

3.         Hope is anchored by faith .                                                    Hebrews 6:19

 

 

and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by Gods power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:4-5).

 

 

The Hope of God’s Kingdom Is to Be Shared with Others:                                      2 Corinthians 1:3-5

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

 

1.         Loving .                                                                                      1 John 3:11

 

2.         Repairing .                                                                              Psalm 42:5-6a

 

3.         Daring .                                                                             Romans 10:14-15

 

4.         Sharing .                                                                           Matthew 28:18-20

 

 

There are 7,487 promises in God’s Word with your name on them. Now that’s hope!

 

                   Stan Toler, The Buzzards Are Circling, but Gods Not Finished With Me Yet