This is the end of my Advent devotional series. I hope you've enjoyed it. Today, on Christmas Day, we finish with an encouragement to invest in our spiritual growth. May you be blessed by this and know God's grace.
Advent
Advent Day 24: Be Ready to Go With Plan B or Plan C
Plan A rarely works out. We don’t often get exactly what we want, when we want, how we want. The Christmas story has its fair share of twists and turns...
Advent Day 23: Why Tragedies Happen
We have to wrestle with evil in all its forms for now, but take heart from knowing that God’s purpose will always prevail. He will one day put an end to all evil, and in the meantime, He is the master of bringing good out of bad.
Advent Day 22: God Will Guide You Each Step of the Way
Our itinerary is safe in God’s hands. We have no idea what’s coming next, but God has already mapped out our route and prepared our path. Joseph’s story teaches us that God will move us on at just the right moment, and that He will guide us safely when danger arises.
Advent Day 21: God Will Provide For All Your Needs
Let’s look after one another this Christmas and trust God to provide all that we need.
Advent Day 20: Let’s Give Our Best To Jesus
We should think in advance about giving, and plan on giving, rather than letting it be an emaciated after-thought. Tithing should be the first item in our budgets, not squeezed around everything else. And we should give our best to Jesus, the best of our time, treasure and talents.
Advent Day 19: No-one is Too Small or Insignificant for God to Use
Our God delights in working with the least and the weak, the sinful and the self-doubting. Whoever you are, God can use you. All you need is to be willing. Don’t rule yourself out.
Advent Day 18: Be Ready to Listen to Outsiders
This story of the Magi also shows us that Christmas is for everyone, not just people who talk like us or believe the same things we do. Let’s welcome others in and open up our horizons this Christmas. Just like the Magi, let’s be open to the gifts, talents and insights of others. Let’s not be so busy with our own agenda this Christmas that we miss something extraordinary happening right down the road.
Advent Day 17: Following Jesus Won’t Be Easy
Following Jesus won’t be easy. We like to hear comforting messages at Christmas, but these verses belong to Advent as much as the more familiar and pleasant ones. We will have trouble in this life, just like Jesus did, but remember that we’re on the winning side. And when life gets tough, Jesus promises to be there with us and to equip us to be able to face it.
Advent Day 16: Simeon and The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit can come on anyone. It is a badge of honour to still be serving God in old age. God’s promises will always be fulfilled, no matter how long it takes. And the Holy Spirit will lead us precisely where we need to be if we’ll let him. All this we can learn from the life of Simeon.
MJH Musings 