Advent 2013 thoughts (Dec. 1)

Heard that a church is collecting an offering during this Christmas season called “Christmas Gift to the World” to benefit (both local and global) mission ministries.  In thinking of God’s Gift to the world in Jesus, kinda wondered what my gift to Him this year should be – may have even asked in one of those silent, running conversations we have going.  Well, with the Experiencing God class I’m finishing up and a couple of devotionals and blogs I’ve read about assignments, purpose, utilization of gifts, etc., I am reminded - again! – that I have gotten distracted and haven’t been blogging lately. 

Proverbs 24:16

For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.

So, I am going to “rise again” and have a blog entry for every day from now until at least Christmas.  I may not blog everyday (as is seen by this first one!) but will have one for every day.  The God Calling devotional (www.twolisteners.org) for December 1^st:

December 1 - Responsibility

I am beside you. A very human Jesus, who understands all your weaknesses, and sees too your struggles and conquests.

Remember, I was the Companion of the Weak. Ready to supply their hunger. Teaching My followers their responsibility towards all, not only those near and dear to them, but to the multitude.

"Lord, send them away that they may go into the villages and buy themselves victuals," said My disciples, with no sympathy for the fainting, exhausted men, women, and children.

But I taught that Divine Sympathy includes responsibility. "Give ye them to eat," was My reply.  I taught that pity, without a remedy for the evil, or the need, is worthless.

"Give ye them to eat." Wherever your sympathy goes, you must go too, if possible. Remember that in thinking of your own needs. Claim from Me the same attitude now.

The servant is not above his Master, certainly not in Spiritual attainments, and what I taught My disciples, I do.

So fainting and needy, by the lakeside of life, know that I will supply your need, not grudgingly, but in full measure.

… reminds me that God had pity with a remedy for the evil, and that where His sympathy was, He - in Christ Jesus - came:

Hebrews 2:14-18 (KJV)

¹⁴ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

¹⁵ And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

¹⁶ For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

¹⁷ Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

¹⁸ For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

… and my journey with my God continues …