Pocket Thoughts - 12/20/24
Special Advent Edition
God * is the God of the impossible * accomplishes what He promises * sends good news of great joy – a Savior has been born to us.
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“This Christmas, let us worship the perfect King, the Passover Lamb Who flawlessly obeyed God’s commands. Just as the Israelites were quick to wander, so are we. Let us follow His leadership and submit ourselves to a Bible-believing, local church that can instruct us and lead us in accordance with the truths found in God’s Word. Jesus has come as the fulfillment of the promise to purchase and redeem His bride. And He is coming again!” – The Daily Grace Co. – Waiting for the Savior
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“Who is this Man that the wind and the waves obey Him? That children are inexplicably drawn to Him? That the poorest of the poor and the marginalized adore Him? That demons flee because of Him? That leprosy is no match for Him? That sinners want to spend time with Him? That the rigid religious would despise Him enough to kill Him? And that His closest friends and followers would rather die than deny Him? Jesus is still surprising people today.” – Susie Larson – Prepare Him Room
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“All of Advent, in the nave and the sanctuary, in the arching dome of a longing heart, it rises like a winding ribbon of incense: ‘Come, let us adore Him.’ Let us leave the wrapping and the decking and the performing and come, awe at God. Your hands need not bring anything of your own making. What God wants for Christmas is simply your bended knee.” – Ann Voskamp – The Greatest Gift
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“…Commit yourself this Christmas to be a sad celebrant. Let your joy at what your Savior has gifted you with be mixed with grief at what it cost Him. Remember this Christmas that you are celebrating the birth of the ‘Man of Sorrows.’ Remember as you celebrate that the One Whom you celebrate enjoyed none of the things that likely make up your celebration (a house, beautiful things, fine food, etc.). This Christmas may your holiday joy be shaped and colored by remembering that you have eternal reason for joy because of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of your humble, willing, suffering Savior.” – Paul David Tripp – Come Let Us Adore Him
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Good Father, I worship You and thank You for the gift of joy - a foundation of assurance and trust that all is well as I rest in Your hands. Much of what I witness in the world today is a mystery – tragic, disappointing, confusing. But You, Holy and Sovereign God, are bigger than all mysteries. Only Your great plan would place every mystery of the universe in the infant hands of a Baby in a stable. And those hands would grow to be pierced by nails and pinned to a cross. Those hands belonged to a Savior Who would pay my penalty so that I could know joy. Those hands would push away the grave clothes to bring resurrection life to all who would believe. And those hands would welcome this sinner’s heart into Your presence for now and for eternity. Certainly, Your thoughts are not my thoughts, nor are Your ways my ways. But Your perfect, right plan is for the good of Your children, and I believe. Rejoicing with a grateful heart in the beautiful Name of Jesus, amen.
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“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” - Luke 2:1-7
