Jennifer A

Sinful and worldly foolishness is the opposite of Godly and divine wisdom.
Sinful and worldly laziness is the opposite of Godly and divine strength.
Sinful and worldly wickedness is the opposite of Godly and divine righteousness.

Proverbs 26 draws our attention to not be a fool who is lazy and wicked, as those are sinful choices that are attached to this world. We are daughters and sons who contain the Holy Spirit, and we call on the Spirit to guide us with wisdom and strength so that we are living righteously in the Name of Jesus Christ.

We have spent 26 days together in the Book of Proverbs asking the Holy Spirit for more Godly and divine wisdom, to provide us with His strength so that we can walk with more righteousness as we grow closer in relationship with Jesus.

Every second of the past 26 days, so for the last 2.2 million seconds, we have either chosen to honor and obey God, or we have chosen to dishonor and disobey God. We must remember, while God wants to move in our spirit to shine His light on the Truth that each of these Proverbs offers our eternal existence; simultaneously, the enemy wants us to feel like these Proverbs are too repetitive, maybe boring, or even not applicable to our lives, which could not be further away from the Truth.

God designed the Book of Proverbs, and the repetition is intentional. This teaching tool makes certain that you and I fully understand the importance of Godly wisdom. This is not an attempt to make things boring, rather the repetition and presentation of wisdom in different ways is meant to help us remember and internalize Godly wisdom so that the Holy Spirit can apply it to our lives and through our lives.

Proverbs 26 (NLT)

1 Honor is no more associated with fools
than snow with summer or rain with harvest.

2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.

3 Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle,
and a fool with a rod to his back!

4 Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools,
or you will become as foolish as they are.

5 Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools,
or they will become wise in their own estimation.

6 Trusting a fool to convey a message
is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison!

7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is as useless as a paralyzed leg.

8 Honoring a fool
is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot.

9 A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk.

10 An employer who hires a fool or a bystander
is like an archer who shoots at random.

11 As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his foolishness.

12 There is more hope for fools
than for people who think they are wise.

13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road!
Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!”

14 As a door swings back and forth on its hinges,
so the lazy person turns over in bed.

15 Lazy people take food in their hand
but don’t even lift it to their mouth.

16 Lazy people consider themselves smarter
than seven wise counselors.

17 Interfering in someone else’s argument
is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.

18 Just as damaging
as a madman shooting a deadly weapon
19 is someone who lies to a friend
and then says, “I was only joking.”

20 Fire goes out without wood,
and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

21 A quarrelsome person starts fights
as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.

22 Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one’s heart.

23 Smooth words may hide a wicked heart,
just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.

24 People may cover their hatred with pleasant words,
but they’re deceiving you.
25 They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them.
Their hearts are full of many evils.
26 While their hatred may be concealed by trickery,
their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.

27 If you set a trap for others,
you will get caught in it yourself.
If you roll a boulder down on others,
it will crush you instead.

28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
and flattering words cause ruin.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for emphasizing wisdom throughout the Book of Proverbs. You have been made wisdom, and we want to continue to grow closer to You which means that we need to grow in Your divine wisdom. Holy Spirit, please continue to strengthen and grow each one of us, fill us with more of Your wisdom, and guide us to live in oneness and righteousness with You. Steer us away from foolishness, keep us from laziness, and guard us from being wicked or entertaining wickedness. We ask all of this in Jesus’s Name. Amen.

Pastor Mary mentioned in yesterday’s devotion that Solomon reiterates many things that he shared within the pervious chapters; and in Proverbs 20 we see much of the same pieces of wisdom being shared. You will notice that within each Proverb, Solomon rephrases the nuggets of Godly wisdom that he is sharing with not only his son, but with all believers, including you and me. This is not an exercise of annoyance, rather an exercise of continuously pointing believers towards having an obedient heart for Truth; a heart that is not only in relationship with Jesus, but one that longs to grow more faithful and righteous.

Today, is the inauguration of President Donald Trump back into office as the 47th President of the United States, it is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day. During Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. there were approximately 250,000 people who marched on Washington for jobs and freedom at the largest civil rights gathering. During that speech, Dr. King quoted the Word of God 4 times. On the 8th time that he said “I have a dream” he went on to quote Isaiah 40:4-5, as he said, “I have a dream that one day ‘every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together’.” As many of you know, Dr. King was a minister and theologian who loved Jesus, and here we are almost 57 years after he was assassinated, honoring not only his life and what he did for civil rights, but how he loved Jesus and stood as a vessel for God’s Truth before the world to witness God’s love, justice, righteousness, and peace. We need to pray for this same wisdom that Dr. King embodied for our 47th President of the United States, President Donald Trump. Just as Solomon speaks of the wise counsel of the kings of his time, we want that same Godly wise counsel for our President so that it will translate God’s love, justice, righteousness, and peace to impact all of America and the world.

Proverbs 20 (NLT)

1 Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls.
Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.

2 The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar;
to rouse his anger is to risk your life.

3 Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor;
only fools insist on quarreling.

4 Those too lazy to plow in the right season
will have no food at the harvest.

5 Though good advice lies deep within the heart,
a person with understanding will draw it out.

6 Many will say they are loyal friends,
but who can find one who is truly reliable?

7 The godly walk with integrity;
blessed are their children who follow them.

8 When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence,
distinguishing the bad from the good.

9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart;
I am pure and free from sin”?

10 False weights and unequal measures—
the Lord detests double standards of every kind.

11 Even children are known by the way they act,
whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

12 Ears to hear and eyes to see—
both are gifts from the Lord.

13 If you love sleep, you will end in poverty.
Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!

14 The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,”
then brags about getting a bargain!

15 Wise words are more valuable
than much gold and many rubies.

16 Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt.
Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.

17 Stolen bread tastes sweet,
but it turns to gravel in the mouth.

18 Plans succeed through good counsel;
don’t go to war without wise advice.

19 A gossip goes around telling secrets,
so don’t hang around with chatterers.

20 If you insult your father or mother,
your light will be snuffed out in total darkness.

21 An inheritance obtained too early in life
is not a blessing in the end.

22 Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.”
Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

23 The Lord detests double standards;
he is not pleased by dishonest scales.

24 The Lord directs our steps,
so why try to understand everything along the way?

25 Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God
and only later counting the cost.

26 A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat,
then runs his threshing wheel over them.

27 The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit,
exposing every hidden motive.

28 Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king;
his throne is made secure through love.

29 The glory of the young is their strength;
the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.

30 Physical punishment cleanses away evil;
such discipline purifies the heart.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for being the example of wisdom for our lives. Holy Spirit, please impart Your wisdom to each of us today. Be with President Trump today and each day that he serves as our 47th President. Impart Your Godly wisdom to him so that he can make sound decisions for our country. We ask for You to guide his heart, words, actions, inactions, and steps each day that we are all within his care. May You be glorified, Jesus, in America and throughout the world. We ask this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Friends, within the first section of Proverbs 12, Solomon continues to use short impactful comparison statements to convey the difference between living under the guidance of Godly wisdom versus a lifestyle guided by foolishness and sin. He highlights how the love of discipline is deeply rooted in Christ Jesus and cannot be understood by those who are self-motivated as their wicked minds are narrow and directly connected to their hardened hearts.

In verse 10, Solomon speaks about the godly caring for their animals, while the wicked are always cruel. God’s Family should always have a heart for His entire creation, just as King David reminds us “The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all of His creation.” (Psalm 145:9) With the Lord as our example, we too must shower compassion on all of His creation.

Within the second portion of Proverbs 12 Solomon defines the “fool”, states the importance of our words, and points to how we must not be lazy. The fools always have to be right, are overly confident, and lie to advance their agenda. While the humble, those who are obedient to God, listen to others, remain calm with insult, and always tell the truth. The wise must pray like King David and ask God to “Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips. Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness.” (Psalm 141:3-4) Solomon tells us many times throughout his writings that we are to work in excellence in all that we do, and Paul reminded the Church of Colosse, which still applies to us as the Church today that we are to “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (Colossians 3:23)

Proverbs 12

1 To learn, you must love discipline;
it is stupid to hate correction.

2 The Lord approves of those who are good,
but he condemns those who plan wickedness.

3 Wickedness never brings stability,
but the godly have deep roots.

4 A worthy wife is a crown for her husband,
but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.

5 The plans of the godly are just;
the advice of the wicked is treacherous.

6 The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush,
but the words of the godly save lives.

7 The wicked die and disappear,
but the family of the godly stands firm.

8 A sensible person wins admiration,
but a warped mind is despised.

9 Better to be an ordinary person with a servant
than to be self-important but have no food.

10 The godly care for their animals,
but the wicked are always cruel.

11 A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.

12 Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,
but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.

13 The wicked are trapped by their own words,
but the godly escape such trouble.

14 Wise words bring many benefits,
and hard work brings rewards.

15 Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to others.

16 A fool is quick-tempered,
but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

17 An honest witness tells the truth;
a false witness tells lies.

18 Some people make cutting remarks,
but the words of the wise bring healing.

19 Truthful words stand the test of time,
but lies are soon exposed.

20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
joy fills hearts that are planning peace!

21 No harm comes to the godly,
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22 The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in those who tell the truth.

23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,
but fools broadcast their foolishness.

24 Work hard and become a leader;
be lazy and become a slave.

25 Worry weighs a person down;
an encouraging word cheers a person up.

26 The godly give good advice to their friends;
the wicked lead them astray.

27 Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch,
but the diligent make use of everything they find.

28 The way of the godly leads to life;
that path does not lead to death. Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your Word that guides and directs our steps. Holy Spirit, please continue to impart Your wisdom to each of us. Be with us today and quicken our spiritual hearts to know when we are not in alignment with You. Allow our spiritual ears to listen to Your guidance, put a watch over our mouths, so that we may speak only what You have for us to speak. We want our words to be one with Your Word that breathes life and love into this world and hearts. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Friends, our choices are a huge deal. When Satan whispers, no one will ever know, remember that is not possible with our omnipresent God. God knows and sees everything, and He knows our hearts. Our commitments, our word, and our actions are to be sacred, as everything we do and say is connected to Almighty God. He wants to forgive all of our sins, and within that place of forgiveness we must turn and seek His Holy Wisdom as guidance for our lives.

Proverbs 5:1-23 (NLT)

Avoid Immoral Women

1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
listen carefully to my wise counsel.
2 Then you will show discernment,
and your lips will express what you’ve learned.
3 For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey,
and her mouth is smoother than oil.
4 But in the end she is as bitter as poison,
as dangerous as a double-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.
6 For she cares nothing about the path to life.
She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it.

7 So now, my sons, listen to me.
Never stray from what I am about to say:
8 Stay away from her!
Don’t go near the door of her house!
9 If you do, you will lose your honor
and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved.
10 Strangers will consume your wealth,
and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
11 In the end you will groan in anguish
when disease consumes your body.
12 You will say, “How I hated discipline!
If only I had not ignored all the warnings!
13 Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers?
Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?
14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin,
and now I must face public disgrace.”

15 Drink water from your own well—
share your love only with your wife.
16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets,
having sex with just anyone?

17 You should reserve it for yourselves.
Never share it with strangers.
18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts satisfy you always.
May you always be captivated by her love.
20 Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman,
or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman?

21 For the Lord sees clearly what a man does,
examining every path he takes.
22 An evil man is held captive by his own sins;
they are ropes that catch and hold him.
23 He will die for lack of self-control;
he will be lost because of his great foolishness.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for forgiving our sins. Holy Spirit, please continue to impart Your wisdom for our daily choices. Protect us from the evil one who seeks to lure us away from You. Quicken our spirit to turn away from worldly desires and people who want to cause harm and sinful living. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Jesus’s warning about the end times is recorded within the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 2, and His warning is known as the Olivet Discourse or Prophecy. It was a conversation that Jesus had with Peter, James, John, and Andrew on the Mount of Olives just three days before His crucifixion. The location of their discussion plays a crucial historic and prophetic role, as Jesus left earth from this location after He appeared to His disciples for 40 days in His resurrected state (Acts 1:1-3, 9, 12) and He will return to the Mount of Olives when He comes again to rule the earth (Zechariah 14:1-4).

If you and I were present with Peter, James, John, and Andrew during their conversation with Jesus, and He answered questions about the temple, Jerusalem, and end times, image how we would have felt listening to Jesus foretell about the future. Keep in mind, we would have experienced His ministry as you and I had followed Him and witnessed His miracles firsthand. We would have known without a shadow of a doubt that we were disciples of the Messiah. This conversation would have meant even more in three days’ time when you and I witnessed the fulfillment of the prophesies and Jesus’s Word that He spoke to us when He said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

Friends, you and I are blessed without having seen Jesus and because we believe His Word by faith. (John 20:29) As we prepare to enter into a new year, we need to remember that God is a good Father Who seeks to rescue His children (believers) during every moment, good and bad. All He asks is that we allow Him to abide within us. We must let the Holy Spirit guide our hearts and illuminate Christ’s Spirit within our lives. We want to be prepared when Jesus returns. Jesus made sure to provide us with the best set of instructions (His Word) and His walking life was, is, and will forever be our example of how we are called to live today, tomorrow, and the remainder of 2025 and the rest of our walking lives.

Remain in close relationship with Jesus this year and dig deep into His Word each any every day so you are not sleeping, but watching for Him, and prepared for His returns. Blessings for your 2025!

Mark 13:32-37 (NLT)

32 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!

34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. 35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. 36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. 37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your Word that is our guide, that brings us closer to You, and that prepares us for Your return. Help each of us to grow even closer to You this new year. Holy Spirit, we do not want to be sleeping, we want You to radiate within us and out through us. Guide us each day with Your wisdom and fill us to overflow with Your fruits so that as we produce more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control we are receiving those fruits back in blessings. We love You, Jesus, and we look forward to seeing what You have planned for 2025. In Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Our passages today take us throughout the Bible and reveal the Good News about the birth of the Messiah, the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ – Immanuel, Who is God with us. We see that the prophets, in the Old Testament foretold about the Child Who would come to rule as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. The psalmists wrote about the Lord and sang praises to Him and proclaimed the Good News of His saving love. The Apostle Luke, in the New Testament, documented the story of the Baby born in the manger. His account aligns with what the prophet Isaiah foretold 700 years before Jesus’s birth. Luke’s writing allows us to step into each person’s position within the story. We witness how Jesus is their Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, just as He is for each one of us. As this Advent week of Love guides us to focus on the birth of the One Who is Love, Jesus, we cannot forget what the Apostle Paul instructed. The Baby, Who we celebrate His birth this Christmas season, is the One Who brought us salvation, and He is the same One Who will return for His Church. We reside in this evil world, but live by His wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, as we reveal His Love to the world, and until He returns for us, His Church.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NLT)

6 For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!

Psalm 96:1-2 (NLT)

1 Sing a new song to the Lord!
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
2 Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.

Luke 2:1-20 (NLT)

The Birth of Jesus

1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

The Shepherds and Angels

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Titus 2:11-14 (NLT)

11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for coming into this dark world to save us. Help us to share your love into this world. Holy Spirit, open doors for each of us to connect with people who need You. We praise You, Jesus, for being our Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Guide our hearts to love as You love. In Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

During yesterday’s sermon, Pastor Mary helped us to remember that Love is not simply a four-letter word, Love represents Jesus. Today’s passage from the Apostle Paul continues to guide us to further understand that Love, Who is Jesus, is the supreme visible representation of the invisible God. Paul is stretching the Colossians’ perception of God, and the Holy Spirit is seeking to use today’s Word to stretch each of our perceptions of God.

Within the next 48 hours, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus, Who lovingly came to earth to reconcile everything to Himself. God made peace with everything in heaven and on earth through the ultimate sacrifice of pure love that Christ made on the cross.

If you and I truly believe that Jesus’s sacrifice is our greatest gift, then His love should fill our hearts each and every day, and we should want to share this gift with others. There is no greater gift than the gift of God’s love. Not one of us deserves it, but He graciously lavishes us with it, and His love is available to everyone.

Each one of us is an essential part of the Body of Christ, His Church; and Paul reminds us that Jesus is the Head of the Church. Consider how lost we would be without our head. Jesus is the Head because He is all wisdom, all knowledge, and He knows the loving plans that He has for His Church. As the Body, you and I need to love Jesus and love one another like Jesus loves each of us so that we can come into agreement with His glorious plans for His Church. As Paul clearly reminds us, Christ is Supreme over absolutely everything.

Colossians 1:15-20 (NLT)

Christ Is Supreme

15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

Prayer: Jesus, please forgive me for minimizing Your love at times. Help me to make You and Your love the foundation of each day. Quicken my heart to know when I am not representing Your love. Thank You for coming into this world to save me. Your loving sacrifice is my greatest gift. Holy Spirit, please guide me to share Your love today with others. I ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Peter reminds us that the word “pastor” isn’t merely a title, it’s a serious calling on one’s life to be a shepherd of God’s flock that is placed under their care. Shepherds (pastors) guide the flock (or spiritual Family), they provide biblical nourishment, they seek after the ones who stray, and they guard the flock from wolves (1 Peter 5). This is why we should all be in constant prayer for Pastor Mary. She is not only responsible for caring for our spiritual Family, but she also knows that those who teach will be judged more strictly (James 3:1).

In today’s passage, the author of Hebrews reminds us of the importance of the leaders of the Church, and how believers are encouraged to live a life that is growing by faith in the Truth, and Truth alone. We read within the passage that the leaders of faith much imitate the life of Christ, and thus their teachings must be of sound biblical doctrine, because the Gospel message of Truth is never changing as “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (v. 8) When Jesus spoke about the future and His return, He warned us of false teachers and to not be led astray (Matthew 24). He said, “And many will turn away from Me and betray and hate each other. Any many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good New about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” (v. 10-14)

In today’s passage we see the comparison of Old Testament animal sacrifice, to the New Testament sacrifice of Jesus, through His death which reconciled us back to God. Our faith in Christ through our salvation and growing relationship with Him is our greatest gift, because it’s a reminder of Christ’s eternal promise of eternal life with Him forever. Remember, just as Christ was persecuted, so will you and I be persecuted for our faith in Him, but we must never let go of Jesus, the One Who is our True Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love!

Hebrews 13:7-17 NLT

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for Pastor Mary, the shepherd of our spiritual Family. We are blessed to be nourished with Your Truth through her. Holy Spirit, may You impart Your wisdom and strength to Pastor Mary, each day, so that she may continue to be Your guide, to feed, to seek, and to guard Your Church. Please allow each one of us to be continually growing in Your Truth. Help us to walk by faith, to read Your Word, to apply Your Word, and forgive us for sinning against You and others. Prepare each of our hearts to be ready for Your return. Holy Spirit, guide us to know Your voice and to discern when You are not speaking. We stand against false teachings and those who work to mislead Your Church. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul helps us to understand that all of God’s creation, including you and me, have been subjected to God’s curse on sin from the very beginning when Adan and Eve sinned in the garden. Although there is no way that we can deliver ourselves from sins, Jesus paid the ultimate penalty for our sins to be forgiven, and the Holy Spirit helps us to receive God and to reject sin. When Jesus returns “No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and His servants will worship Him. And they will see His face, and His Name will be written on their foreheads.” (Revelation 22:3-4)

As you and I look forward to Jesus’ return, we also know that suffering continues while we remain on this earth, but we can take heart as “we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” (v. 28) Please take note, that this Truth is for believers with patient endurance, in other words believers who are actively seeking God and His best for their lives and the best for the lives of others. It is the ability, by the Holy Spirit, to contain and share the Spirit’s hope, peace, joy, and love in the midst of ongoing suffering and trials. Remember, we must remain fully connected to Jesus, because the enemy (or looter) is waiting for our times of weakness. Peter says, “Dear friends, I warn you as ‘temporary residents and foreigners’ to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.” Our earthly lives are but a vapor, we are temporary residents, foreigners from the heavenly realm on an earthly journey, who are here today and can vanish tomorrow (James 4:14), which means we must stay away from those people and things of this world that try to pull us towards sin and away from Jesus. Be quick to recognize sin, even quicker to repent and turn from it, so we can be ready for Jesus’ return and for our Homecoming. What a glorious day!

Romans 8:18-30 NLT

The Future Glory

18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for saving each of us from ourselves and our sinful ways. Holy Spirit, help us to see how You are moving for our good even in tough times. Guide us to share about Your hope, peace, joy, and love today with someone who desperately needs to know You, Jesus. Keep us rooted in You, and growing in Your Word. Holy Spirit, protect our souls from the enemy, quicken our spirit to steer away from sin, to repent when we fall short, and to get back in alignment with You. I ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

2 Peter is a continuation of 1 Peter, and many believe it was written to address the Christians who were scattered by persecution. Peter wrote to encourage believers, and his message continues to be a message of great hope for each of us as believers. Peter wanted believers to live for Christ, and to beware of false teachers. In today’s passage, he condemns false teachers as “they promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.” (v.19) Pastor Mary’s message yesterday aligns with today’s passage. She reminded us that as children of light, we have a choice each day to choose to remain in Christ’s light or we wander towards Satan’s darkness.

Peter sought to demolish false teachings about Christ’s return within his letters. We know that Christ is returning, and so we must be prepared. The false teachers of Peter’s time are no different than the false teachers of today. Peter reminds us that God is the Creator, and just like in the time of Noah, in the time of Sodom and Gomorrah, in the time of Israel’s exile, etc. God hates sin because it opposes His very holy nature and is the work of Satan. As followers of Christ, we should have great hope in His return. Teachers who shy away from the Truth of Christ’s return, as found in Revelation and throughout scripture, are falsely teaching, as every Word within the Bible is to be learned and applied to our lives. Our spiritual family, at C2C Church, is blessed to learn and grow from Pastor Mary who is a biblically sound teacher that shares the entire Bible and leads by the example of Christ. Brothers and sisters, we must reject false teachings and be living holy lives in oneness with Christ as we remain hopeful for His return.

2 Peter 3 (NLT)

The Day of the Lord Is Coming

1 This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory. 2 I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.

3 Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. 4 They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”

5 They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. 6 Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. 7 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.

8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.

14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— 16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.

Peter’s Final Words

17 You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.

Prayer: Jesus, as we find ourselves beginning this Advent season, we thank You for being our great hope. We are Your children of light, and we remain hopeful in You. Holy Spirit, help guide each one of us today to share Your hope with someone who needs it. Thank You for shining a light on Your Truth and allowing our hearts to know when Your Word is being falsely shared. Our spiritual Family at C2C Church, under the guidance of Pastor Mary, all stand rooted in You and Your Word, Jesus. We lift all of this to You, Jesus. Amen.