See you there!
Tim
Monday, November 14, 2011
Advent 2011
For 2011, I am moving my Advent Devotions to our website at shamburgersonmission.com - please check out the devotions beginning November 27th!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Advent Devotions Available in a Book
I know Christmas is over, but this year's Advent devotions are available in book form here.
You can download it for free or purchase a copy of the book for only $6.99
You can download it for free or purchase a copy of the book for only $6.99
Monday, December 21, 2009
December 31, 2009
Thursday, December 31, 2009
The Return
Scripture Reading
Isaiah 9:2-7 (HCSB) 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of darkness, a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. [The people] have rejoiced before You as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. 4 For You have shattered their burdensome yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as [You did] on the day of Midian. 5 For the trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.
Devotion
This Isaiah Passage is read at Christmas, and like the song “Joy to the World,” we associate it with the birth of Christ—the first Advent. However, both this passage and the song are really about the second Advent— the return of Christ. The great hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ!
Read the passage again. Jesus will not have the government on His shoulders and will not be fully the Prince of Peace and reign on David’s throne until He comes again!
Let heaven and nature sing! He rules the world with truth and grace!
Questions
What can you do to prepare for the second Advent?
Who can you tell about the good news that He came and is coming again?
Prayer
Dear God, Help me to always be ready for your return and to help others be ready also. Amen.
Carol
“Joy to the World”
or here
The Return
Scripture Reading
Isaiah 9:2-7 (HCSB) 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of darkness, a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. [The people] have rejoiced before You as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. 4 For You have shattered their burdensome yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as [You did] on the day of Midian. 5 For the trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.
Devotion
This Isaiah Passage is read at Christmas, and like the song “Joy to the World,” we associate it with the birth of Christ—the first Advent. However, both this passage and the song are really about the second Advent— the return of Christ. The great hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ!
Read the passage again. Jesus will not have the government on His shoulders and will not be fully the Prince of Peace and reign on David’s throne until He comes again!
Let heaven and nature sing! He rules the world with truth and grace!
Questions
What can you do to prepare for the second Advent?
Who can you tell about the good news that He came and is coming again?
Prayer
Dear God, Help me to always be ready for your return and to help others be ready also. Amen.
Carol
“Joy to the World”
or here
December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
The Cross
Scripture Reading
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (HCSB) 3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
1 Corinthians 15:57 (HCSB) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Devotion
Victory in Jesus! Jesus died for our sins and rose again! Thanks be to God.
Again we get to the point of Christmas!
Without Christmas, there would be no Cross and no Resurrection. Jesus came to provide a way for us to get to God. He did that by living a sinless life; dying for sins He did not commit; and being raised from the dead.
Thank God this Christmas for the way provided to you by Jesus.
Questions
What did Jesus do to save you?
What should our response be to Him?
Prayer
Dear God, Thank you again for coming and dying to save me. Amen.
Carol
“At the Cross”
The Cross
Scripture Reading
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (HCSB) 3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
1 Corinthians 15:57 (HCSB) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Devotion
Victory in Jesus! Jesus died for our sins and rose again! Thanks be to God.
Again we get to the point of Christmas!
Without Christmas, there would be no Cross and no Resurrection. Jesus came to provide a way for us to get to God. He did that by living a sinless life; dying for sins He did not commit; and being raised from the dead.
Thank God this Christmas for the way provided to you by Jesus.
Questions
What did Jesus do to save you?
What should our response be to Him?
Prayer
Dear God, Thank you again for coming and dying to save me. Amen.
Carol
“At the Cross”
December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Sacrifice
Scripture Reading
Matthew 2:11 (HCSB) Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Devotion
What is myrrh?
MYRRH An aromatic resin having many uses in the Ancient Near East, one of which was to embalm bodies. Why give a baby a spice used to embalm bodies?
Perhaps it was given as a perfume. However, it is in hindsight appropriate to give embalming spices to Jesus, who was our sacrifice. Jesus gave everything for us. What can we give to Him? Like the legend of the little drummer boy… we can give to Him what we have. Jesus wants all of us. We can give the gift of service in 2010.
What does God want you to do in 2010? How will you serve? Perhaps you will serve in the church, or with the homeless, or you may serve as a room mom in school, or as a volunteer at a community event. You can represent Christ wherever you go and serve Him in the process.
Questions
How have you given to Jesus this year in service?
What does God want you to do in 2010 to serve Him?
Prayer
Dear God, Where should I serve this next year? Help me give the gift of service. Amen.
Carol
“The Little Drummer Boy”
or here
The Sacrifice
Scripture Reading
Matthew 2:11 (HCSB) Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Devotion
What is myrrh?
MYRRH An aromatic resin having many uses in the Ancient Near East, one of which was to embalm bodies. Why give a baby a spice used to embalm bodies?
Perhaps it was given as a perfume. However, it is in hindsight appropriate to give embalming spices to Jesus, who was our sacrifice. Jesus gave everything for us. What can we give to Him? Like the legend of the little drummer boy… we can give to Him what we have. Jesus wants all of us. We can give the gift of service in 2010.
What does God want you to do in 2010? How will you serve? Perhaps you will serve in the church, or with the homeless, or you may serve as a room mom in school, or as a volunteer at a community event. You can represent Christ wherever you go and serve Him in the process.
Questions
How have you given to Jesus this year in service?
What does God want you to do in 2010 to serve Him?
Prayer
Dear God, Where should I serve this next year? Help me give the gift of service. Amen.
Carol
“The Little Drummer Boy”
or here
December 28, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
The Priest
Scripture Reading
Matthew 2:11 (HCSB) Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Devotion
What is frankincense? An ingredient used in making the perfume for the most holy place in the tabernacle. It was used for worship. Another gift fit for Jesus, who is our High Priest.
We can give the gift of worship to Jesus in 2010. To put it simply, let’s go to church! I know that there may be a hundred things keeping us from it, but let’s give ourselves to committing every Sunday to Him.
We can worship God alone, but the Bible constantly encourages gathering together for worship. Worship happens better when we are with others. Join the family as we worship!
Questions
How well has your Worship attendance been this year? Can you do better?
Do you worship every day with a private devotion time?
Prayer
Dear God, Help me follow through with a commitment to be in church every Sunday. Amen.
Carol
“O Come, All ye Faithful”
or here
or here
The Priest
Scripture Reading
Matthew 2:11 (HCSB) Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Devotion
What is frankincense? An ingredient used in making the perfume for the most holy place in the tabernacle. It was used for worship. Another gift fit for Jesus, who is our High Priest.
We can give the gift of worship to Jesus in 2010. To put it simply, let’s go to church! I know that there may be a hundred things keeping us from it, but let’s give ourselves to committing every Sunday to Him.
We can worship God alone, but the Bible constantly encourages gathering together for worship. Worship happens better when we are with others. Join the family as we worship!
Questions
How well has your Worship attendance been this year? Can you do better?
Do you worship every day with a private devotion time?
Prayer
Dear God, Help me follow through with a commitment to be in church every Sunday. Amen.
Carol
“O Come, All ye Faithful”
or here
or here
December 27, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
The King
Scripture Reading
Matthew 2:11 (HCSB) Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Devotion
Gold. A gift for a King.
As Jesus is the King of kings, it seems fitting that he should get gold. Some speculate that Joseph used the gold to set up shop in Egypt. Who knows. I think that we can be like the wise men and give our gold (money) to Jesus. We should be faithful to give a tithe (that’s a tenth) to our local church in order that the Word of God can be preached everywhere. We should also give more than what is required to assist in other areas as the Lord shows us. Give the gift of money to Jesus in 2010. Not because He needs your money, but because He is worthy of it.
Questions
How well do you give your money to Jesus?
Did you give a bigger Christmas present to someone in your family than you gave to Jesus this month?
Prayer
Dear God, Help us to be faithful in giving money to you. Amen.
Carol
“We Three Kings”
or here
The King
Scripture Reading
Matthew 2:11 (HCSB) Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Devotion
Gold. A gift for a King.
As Jesus is the King of kings, it seems fitting that he should get gold. Some speculate that Joseph used the gold to set up shop in Egypt. Who knows. I think that we can be like the wise men and give our gold (money) to Jesus. We should be faithful to give a tithe (that’s a tenth) to our local church in order that the Word of God can be preached everywhere. We should also give more than what is required to assist in other areas as the Lord shows us. Give the gift of money to Jesus in 2010. Not because He needs your money, but because He is worthy of it.
Questions
How well do you give your money to Jesus?
Did you give a bigger Christmas present to someone in your family than you gave to Jesus this month?
Prayer
Dear God, Help us to be faithful in giving money to you. Amen.
Carol
“We Three Kings”
or here
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