ADVENT 2020, Week Two: When Heaven Comes Near
Sunday, December 6: Heaven’s Gift
Isaiah 9:6; John 14:27
Have you ever searched for that “perfect” gift? Or, perhaps, someone did for you. God chose for us the perfect gift in His Son, Jesus Christ who would be our Prince of Peace. What a perfect gift for these turbulent and anxious days in which we live! During the second week of this Advent season, may we discover that when heaven comes near, peace of heart and mind abound.
Monday, December 7: Heaven Whispers
I Kings 19:1-12; Philippians 4:6-7
Elijah did not hear it in the wind, earthquake or fire. Paul did not hear it in the clanging of prison doors, the clinking of his own shackles or the groaning of fellow prisoners in a Philippian jail. But they both knew the unmistakable whisper of heaven. They both recognized the dialect of the peace of Jesus when they heard it. It carried them through their difficulties and it will do the same for you.
Tuesday, December 8: Heaven’s Calling
Psalm 34:12-16; Romans 12:14-21
Heaven comes near when we align our lives with it’s values. And as our scripture readings for today suggest, peace seldom happens naturally. It needs to be intentional in our thoughts, words and actions. In some cases, the effort will need to be greater than with others, but when the effort is made with a prayed up heart, God shows up. How can you be a peacemaker today?
Wednesday, December 9: Heaven’s Greatest Advice
Psalm 46; Mark 4:35-39
Those words: “Be still…” They can be our greatest comfort and our greatest challenge. It is interesting nonetheless that both the Father and the Son echo these words in the scriptures. The arms of Heaven are strong and their reach is great. When we follow heaven’s greatest advice to “be still” we are inviting the Messiah’s presence into our circumstances and where our needless striving ends; His greatest work begins.
Thursday, December 10: Heaven’s Masterpiece
Isaiah 43:1-7; Romans 5:9-11
A popular worship song of our time speaks of God bringing heaven down to us. That is what He did when sent His Son to earth. And through His death on the cross and His resurrection, we have peace and reconciliation with our Heavenly Father. With a redemptive stroke of His brush, God created a masterpiece; a family portrait with the Father, Son, you, and me.
Friday, December 11: Good Heavens!
Isaiah 65:17-25; John 14:1-3
“Good Heavens!” - Many of us are perhaps familiar with this particular interjection. However, today let’s look at it in a literal sense. As we read today’s scripture, we cannot help but believe that this beautiful place God is preparing for us is anything less than good! Advent is not only about the anticipation of Jesus coming as a baby but it is also about Him returning as our reigning King. And what a place of complete peace He is preparing for us!
Saturday, December 12: Sharing Heaven
Jeremiah 29:4-7; I Timothy 2:1-4
A beautiful way for heaven to come near is to bring it near to those around you. We, the church, are the “called out ones” and as the world looks on, may we give them every reason to seek out the Jesus we know. The world is looking for heavenly peace. This Advent season, may we take every opportunity to share it with those around us.
