2006 Advent
 
Daily Devotional Guide 
 

ADVENT IV—  DECEMBER 24-30, 2006  My Spirit Rejoices

Rejoicing At His Birth

"My soul doth magnify the Lord."
That's what Mary said about Him.
And "My spirit hath rejoiced in God."
As she welcomed the Savior of men.

The heavenly Angels informed the shepherds
As they huddled on that star-lit hill.
"To you this day a Savior is born."
The joy of that night remains with us still.

"Glory to God in the highest.
Peace on Earth and goodwill to men."
Was sung by God's heavenly Angels
About the anointed One God did send.

May we celebrate his birthday forever
As we live together here on Earth.
A joyous occasion for all mankind
Was the day of our dear Savior's birth.

Layman Cash - 2006 

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Sunday December 24, 2006    Advent IV: My Spirit Rejoices

“My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." (Luke 1:36-37)

Read Luke 1:26-55

Another girl. She will be called Mary, for bitter is her birth. The Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, the most celebrated woman in history, entered into a world of disappointment. Her father christened her Mary, the same as her sister, and in doing so, expressed his bitterness that he had yet another daughter, and not a son. Little did he know what a treasure she would be, what role she would have in the fulfillment of God’s awesome plan. “For all nations will call her blessed.”

To put this into context, let’s create a modern-day Mary. She’s a few inches short of 5 feet and weighs about 80 pounds. She attends the local middle school, and is engaged to be married to a man who is at least as old as her own father. She probably hasn’t even hit puberty yet, this being the reason that she isn’t already married. Lately she’s been gaining weight and feeling a little off color. She would be able to diagnose her condition if she were a married woman, but knows that she has never been with a man, and that pregnancy is impossible. So what is wrong with her? And more importantly, what will she tell her fiancé, the man who has the power to bring about her death?

Are these the typical worries of a young teen? Mary shows maturity beyond that of many adult women in her humble acceptance of her duty. God didn’t provide an online pregnancy calendar or gynecologist to answer her questions about her pregnancy. Besides the worry that accompanies any pregnancy, she also had to come to terms with its divinity. She was miraculously impregnated by God himself. How long do you think it might have taken her to let that sink in? Fear was no doubt her companion. She had no guarantee that Joseph would be merciful to her. And if she was able to escape with her life, she would be alone with a needy infant, unable to marry again because of the circumstances of her pregnancy. How would she provide for herself and this baby? And what shame would she endure because of the perceptions of others?

Through it all, Mary trusted that God would provide for her. She lived not in fear and depression, but rejoiced in the blessing she had been given. She sang praises in the midst of uncertainty, and danced on the doorstep of adversity. And in the end, she was rewarded beyond measure. She became the mother of the Savior of all mankind and an inspiration to generations even yet to come. She had the faith of a child, the heart of a mother, and the grace of the Lord. 

Heavenly father, help me to trust in your promises. Help me to find the good in every situation, regardless of  fear and uncertainty. Help me to be a moral example to the world around me. And help me to remember the blessings you so generously provide. Amen

Liza Triplett

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Monday December 25, 2006    Christmas—A Saviour Has Been  Born
 

Baby Jesus

And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us . . John 1:4 (RSV)

When Michael David Wayne, our first child, was born, although I had a Master’s in Early Childhood Education, specializing in Birth to five years of age, I had never changed a diaper!!!  I was anxious and unsure about what to do.  I was many hours away from family but I had some wonderful church friends who gave me guidance. 

Ellen (FBC-Asheville) was so good with Michael and all babies.  I watched her with him and learned from her.  Basically she was communicating to me that Michael knew his needs and I needed to be there for him.  If he was crying (which he didn’t do very much) she showed me how to cradle him in my arms and hold him snugly and soon he would be content.  I learned what He needed most was my devotion.  If  I was tense and distracted, he knew that and reacted in such a way as to demand my undivided attention. 

Why did God enter the world as an infant?  Maybe He took the form of a baby to teach us devotion.  A baby knows his needs and today, as I celebrate His birth, I’ll try to remember that. 

Baby Jesus, embodying all the wisdom of God and the frailty of an infant, cries.  Who will hold Him?  All He needs is you.

Throughout the day, Lord, let me hold You to my heart.  Please give me moments of quiet in this happy day to reflect on You.  Encourage me to bow down before You, to worship and adore You.  Amen.

Linda Wayne

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Tuesday December 26, 2006    Advent IV: My Spirit Rejoices
 

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant” (Luke 1:47).

Throughout life God is there with you. God is there smiling with you in times of happiness, and cries with you, as He holds you, through times of sadness. God is always there. God knows your struggles and knows your fears but He is there for you, and there is no need to fear. God loves the weak and heals the sick. Do you really think He would let you down? So I tell you to rejoice! For God is always by your side. What could you possibly need more than the Ultimate Friend? When I say to rejoice, that does not mean live like nothing is wrong and act like everything is perfect because it is not perfect. God intended us to experience hardships so that we realize we need Him to make it through. Also, through these hardships comes humbleness and the Lord will take into mind your humble, servant-like attitude. Jesus came to earth as a Humble Servant.  We should live like our Savior and serve all so they might come to know Him. We should live our lives to be more like Christ. With this said, I tell you to be a humble servant and rejoice in God’s glory.

Dear Lord, I pray You shine Your marvelous light upon all, so they see how great You are. Also I ask You be with all those who read this and guide them in their walk. Be with us in our sadness and in our rejoicing. God, I ask You to be with us in all we do so it may glorify Your name. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Joshua Cobb

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Wednesday December 27, 2006    Advent IV: My Spirit Rejoices

"What ever  ye do in  word or deed, do all in the name of  the Lord  Jesus,  giving thanks  to  God  the Father by him." - Colossians 3:17

We rejoice because a Savior has been born unto us, one who cared enough to reconcile us to God. He commissioned us, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to care for one another. While on Earth, Jesus assumed the role of a loving, caring servant. When He left, He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us continue that role to those around us who have burdens too heavy to bear alone. When Jesus begins his trans-forming work in us, He re-orients our minds and fills our hearts with love and compassion. Compassion toward others, truly, is love in action.

In times of our deepest needs, the personalized caring of God is the only antidote we have for those needs. The more we let God's love flow through us, the more effective we will be in caring for others. We must always be listening for God's call. But are we willing to let the needs of others interrupt our daily routine? God does not cause nor set the time of tragedies, but I believe He uses them as opportunities for us to work with Him in binding up the wounds. To paraphrase the playwright George Bernard Shaw;    “The worst sin toward our fellow man is not hating him, but being indifferent to his needs."

The unique thing about Jesus is not what He said, but what He did. "If  I  then,  your  Lord  and  Master,  have  washed  your  feet,  ye also  ought  to  wash  one  another's  feet. For I have  given  you  an  example,  that  ye  should  do  as  I  have done to you ."  John 13: 14-15. Yes, the symbol of a caring person is a towel and basin!

The source of our authority to live a caring life is Jesus. God will never give us a task bigger than we can handle. We must trust Him and leave the results to Him. William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, said "The day that God touched my heart, He gave me a vision of what Jesus could do with me. It was then that I made up my mind that God could have all that there was of William Booth."

A sure sign the Holy Spirit is working in us, and that God has all of us, is when we feel the warm glow of joy and love flowing through us to others. Picture what you would be like, filled with the Holy Spirit and caring for others, just as Jesus cares for us. Hold that image for a moment - yes, it can be so if you surrender your all to Him.

"Oh,  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  His  goodness,  and  for  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men ." Psalm 107: 21

Lord I thank you for each opportunity to befriend my fellow man.  May I be willing to shoulder some of his burdens, to make his load a little lighter.  May I do it in a loving, caring way that will lift up the name of Jesus and be pleasing to You.  Amen

Layman Cash

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Thursday December 28, 2006    Advent IV: My Spirit Rejoices

My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty has done great things to me.  (Luke 1:47-49)

The painting was nice to look at, but stained by decades of hanging in her husband’s office. A couple of holes were in the canvas but no artist’s name adorned it. It was a painting of two ships under full sail, competing for the America’s Cup. A third vessel observed from a distance.  “If you clean that up I’ll let you hang it in the den at home” she remarked to him.  He expressed no interest in that suggestion, so it remained on the wall until she got some tickets to go to The Antiques Road Show. Casting about for something to take she decided on the dusty painting. The frame would not fit in the car so the painting was pried from the frame and the canvas alone was taken.  At last she met the “Art expert” who was examining paintings and the work was placed before her on an easel.

“This artist’s style is unmistakable, even without a signature. James E. Buttersworth was born in 1817 to a family of marine artists. His skill at portraying the beautiful shapes of wind-filled sails, and the feeling of a sailboat moving through the water, has never been equaled. His paintings are highly sought after and, with a good cleaning, I would expect this work to bring, at auction, around $500,000.00.”

I still remember the stunned expression on her face and her hand over her heart. She reminded me of Bubba’s momma in Forest Gump, (the part right before she hit the floor.)  This is one time I would have liked to eavesdrop on the call she placed to her husband before she returned home with THE PAINTING.

My spirit rejoiced at the news. But why?  I neither owned the painting nor knew the owner. Of course the artist had done a great work, but I had seen many that were greater than this one and they created no rejoicing in my spirit. Surely it was because someone regarded the low estate of the painting, and, because of their knowledge, “from henceforth all men shall call (it) blessed”.  I’m sure it was now accorded a position in the home, even without the cleaning.

In Mary’s case it was “Like mother, like son.”  Mary’s “low estate” coincides wonderfully with her son’s being “meek and lowly.” (Matthew 11:29) Then consider how her “He hath done to me great things” complements her son’s “mighty works.” (Matthew 13:54)

Rejoice that He who regarded Mary and blessed her is the same who now regards us, does great things to us, blesses us and makes us a blessing in our generation.

Let your servants depart in peace, according to thy word: For thy salvation we have seen, and all the world has heard.  Light and Glory of Your people, set for their fall and rise.  And by Your grace and through our faith may all men be made wise.   Amen.

Ronnie May

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Friday December 29, 2006    Advent IV: My Spirit Rejoices

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Did you get what you wanted for Christmas?  Did you get that new video game or power tool?  Did you get the DVD or CD that you really wanted?  I hope you did, I hope you received everything that was on your Christmas wish list.  I want you to think about that for a second, think about what you really wanted and how it felt to get it.  The excitement you felt about the possibility of receiving those gifts and the sheer joy of opening presents just for you. 

It always amazes me how excited I get about Christmas and gifts.  It also amazes me how once the newness of the gifts wears off I start wanting new things.  What about you?  Do you find yourself wanting after the newness wears off? 

What about Jesus?  Are you as excited about Jesus as when you first received Him as your Lord and Savior?  Are you looking forward to everyday with Him, being in His will and worshiping Him?  I pray so.  I pray that today as the newness of the “toys” wears off that you renew your relationship and commitment to Christ.  I pray that each day you are as excited about following our Lord as you were about your gifts on Christmas morning. 

God, thank You so much for the gift of your Son that we might be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life with You in heaven.  Thank You for loving us always even when we feel unloved.  Fill us with Your holy fire and let us focus our hearts on You and what You would have us do.  Show us how to be the light in this lost world and let us be Your hands and feet.  We love You, Lord. Amen    

Because HE Lives,

Shane Pike

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Saturday December 30, 2006    Advent IV: My Spirit Rejoices

But why am I so favored that the mother of my LORD should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the LORD has said to her will be accomplished!" Luke 1: 43-45

As I sit here in one of the last weeks of my pregnancy, I often find myself dreaming of the boy we will soon hold. I dream of who he will become. Sometimes I am nearly overwhelmed at the thought that God has chosen Shane and me to be parents again. There is so much joy in just knowing that this child will be a part of our family.

Imagine the joy that Mary must have felt knowing that she was chosen to carry God’s own Son. She and Elizabeth rejoiced. They knew that there would be a baby to hold, a boy for Mary and Joseph to love and raise. But more than that, they knew that God was doing something huge.

They did not know the details of Jesus’ life, but they found joy and trusted God’s goodness. We have the advantage of being able to read of Jesus’ life and purpose. We know that God sent Him to save us and to give us life with Him. REJOICE! God has rescued us. He has sent us a Savior! REJOICE!

Father, I thank You for your goodness and mercy to us. Thank You Jesus for coming so humbly to save us and change us. Thank You for the joy that You give and for this season in which we are reminded of Your coming. We love You! Amen.

Laurie Pike

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Sunday after Christmas  - DECEMBER 31, 2006 Glorifying And Praising God

 Praising And Glorifying God

"To God be the glory" is a song we often sing.
He is the creator and sustainer of everything.
He walks with us daily, through sunshine and rain.
He sent His Son, Jesus, to be our new King.

God is so good to me and to you;
Without His love, I don't know what I'd do.
He's always with me, through thick and thin,
And when I need Him I just call upon Him.

I sing and rejoice that Jesus the Son
Glorifies the Father, for He was the One
Who sent Him to Earth to live among men
To give us guidance, and reconcile us to Him.

So give thanks unto the Lord
And daily praise His Holy Name
For sending a perfect sacrifice,
That salvation we may claim.

Layman Cash - 2006

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Sunday December 31, 2006  -  Sunday after Christmas   -  Glorifying and Praising God

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:20

December 31st! The presents have all been opened, decorations are being put away, no more cute Christmas shirts and the smell of Christmas trees are fading.

Now its time to reflect on the past year and the new year that is coming.

As I think back on this last year, two major things come to mind, my first trip to M-fuge and Alex and Isaac's wedding. Both were times when the Lord was glorified.

At M-fuge I learned how to be more intimate in praise and worship. I saw the Lord being glorified everyday through the ministry sites, group discussions and through the gift of music.

At Alex and Isaac's wedding I was able to witness their love as they glorified Him in their wedding ceremony. At the reception the fellowship and fun was full of praise and love.

As the new year begins, I am excited to see what God is going to do in my life, my family's life and the lives of those around me. It will be interesting to see how God is glorified and praised.

As you begin to plan for the new year my hope is you will desire to honor and glorify our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, each and every day.

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that as the new year begins You will be glorified. I also pray that Your will, will be very clear as we begin the new year. I love You,  Amen.

Lauren Starr

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