"Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets. Blessed are the people of whom this is true; blessed are the people whose God is the Lord." -- Psalm 144:12-15

JOY to the world the LORD has come!

Readings:  Zechariah 8:1-23; Revelation 16:1-21; Psalm 144:1-15; Proverbs 30:29-31

"This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.'" -- Zechariah 7:9-10

How long will we rebel against God's instruction?  On this holy day and holy night, remember this Advent Hymn.   Readings:  Zechariah 6:1-7:14; Revelation 15:1-8; Psalm 143:1-12; Proverbs 30:24-28

O Come O Come Emmanuel

by John Mason Neale

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people save

And give them victory o'er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,

And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,

Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,

In ancient times did'st give the Law,

In cloud, and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

"When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who knows my way." -- Psalm 142:3a

There are times in our life when we have done all we can do.  We find ourselves depleted of mental, emotional, and spiritual energy.  We find ourselves running on empty, and we are lost as to how and in which direction to take our next step.  But there is a next step.  When you can't see it, trust and know that God has one for you.  If you need to, take a period of rest in order to discern God's desire.  Through prayer and supplication, your way will be made known to you.  Don't act with haste in your exhaustion, as it could lead to regret.  

Readings:  Zechariah 4:1-5:11; Revelation 14:1-20; Psalm 142:1-7; Proverbs 30:21-23

"Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips." -- Psalm 141:3

Consider for a moment the number of fights that would not have occurred in the world had harsh and hasty words not been said.  Think how many relationships might still be intact if words had not been let loose.  Once we say something, it cannot be unsaid.  So when you are stressed, tired, or otherwise compromised in your patience and tolerance, pray extra hard that God guard your lips and keep your words aligned with his spirit.

Readings:  Zechariah 2:1-3:10; Revelation 13:1b-18; Psalm 141:1-10; Proverbs 30:18-20

"Proclaim further: This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.'" -- Zechariah 1:17

According to the Mayans, this is the day that the world was to end.  If the prophecy had been one of faith long ago, the faithful would have attributed the fact that we were still here to God's mercy.  So I say that we live by the grace of God, and while on this earth, we each have an opportunity to live a life that honors God by working to fulfill his purpose for us, or we live a life that rejects God and God's gift of life to us.  If you're reading this, that means you're still here and have some life left to live.  What will you do with this gift God has given you?

Readings:  Zechariah 1:1-21; Revelation 12:1-13:1a; Psalm 140:1-13; Proverbs 30:17

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." -- Psalm 139:13-14a

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?  Do you see someone fearfully and wonderfully made?  Do you see someone that is beautiful in the eyes of God?  Sadly, our culture has conditioned us to view our reflection in terms of just our physical appearance.  But this tells us little.  If we were made in the image of God, we should think less of looking like the model in the magazine and more of reflecting God to others.  Next time you look in the mirror, instead of asking "who do I look like"? Ask, "how will I reflect God to others today?"  That beauty comes from the heart and the spirit, not clear skin and shiny hair.

Readings:  Haggai 1:1-2:23; Revelation 11:1-19; Psalm 139:1-24; Proverbs 30:15-16

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." -- Zephaniah 1:1-3:20

A New Day.  Remember God's desire for you, and remember that you are loved.

Readings:  Zephaniah 1:1-3:20; Revelation 10:1-11; Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 30:11-14