An Advent Reflection 07 Dec, 2018

Forgive me for my lack of content for a long, long period of time. This is my first reflection I will be posting, the second one I ever delivered during a service. The psalm and readings were 16; Isaiah 3:8-15; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; Luke 20:41-21:4. The content is mostly based on the entirety of 1 Thessalonians and from the beginning of chapter 20 in Luke. I hope you enjoy and are blessed by this. Let me know what you think. God bless:

Morning Prayer Reflection 12-7-2018:
This is my third time observing Advent, at least in it's proper context. I can remember a certain type of "advent" being observed in my childhood, which I'm sure is true for all of us,  was that of which was waiting to open the presents under the tree. Advent is probably my favorite season of the liturgical calendar tying with Lent. While they ought to be practiced periodically throughout the rest of the year and our lives one of my favorite attributes of the season is the emphasis on disciplines we are encouraged to practice; fast, prayer, repentance. We are in a period of waiting. Waiting for the coming of our Lord and Savior on Christmas day. Not just on Christmas day but Advent gives us encouragement in His second coming as we live for and serve God.

In the time of the Old Testament, the days of the Law, the Israelites were in an Advent of awaiting the coming Messiah as prophesied in the scriptures; greatly misinterpreted by many which is seen obviously earlier in the week, if you follow the readings, in chapter 20:1-8 where Jesus' authority is challenged by the elders. Jesus then tells the parable of the wicked tenants, referring to Israel tossing out the prophets through the generations and prophesying of his own death in it. Paul to the Thessalonians describes his longing in seeing them again, and encouraged by Timothy's good report exhorts them to live lives pleasing to God in our readings today. And to give preview to tomorrow's readings, Paul instructs on the Second Coming, to which Jesus makes reference in His parables that we know not the day nor the hour. Which is why we should live holy lives, as maintaining the upkeep of God's property, as it were. We are not in darkness but in light. We are awake, not asleep so we should as Paul did, encourage one another in righteousness, giving all we have as the widow gave all she had; as Christ gave all He had to win us by His blood once and for all, living our lives in continual Advent for His return for us, His Church, to be in His presence for all eternity with the Father and the Holy Spirit with whom He lives and reigns.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Breaking The Ice...

Image
So I have been wanting to blog for a long time and really only just recently built my drive enough to get started. As of now, I think I ought to say something a little about myself and break the ice, and to tell you what I am about and foreshadow the intent of this blog. Where to start.... My name is Zach. I was born July 2, 1991 A.D. in MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. I've been pretty much raised and educated my entire life in Central Florida, minus a couple of years in Norfolk, Virginia; little of which I remember. I was only a baby. I graduated high school on June 5, 2010 and left for the army June 30, 2010 to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, ended up only serving 8 months. I was honorably discharged March 25, 2011. I have no regrets but I wish I could have thought it out better. God's plans are greater. With that said, here is the primary reason for this blog thread: I am a Christian, baptized in a Southern Baptist church when I was 12, confirmed in the Episcopal C
Read more

Morning Prayer Reflection 15 Feb, 2019

This reflection is based on Psalm 88 Isaiah 61:1-9 2 Timothy 3:1-17 Mark 10:32-45 The theme of suffering is common all throughout Scripture and is emphasized in the epistle and gospel lessons. Jesus predicts His death and resurrection to the disciples, which we know was an excruciating suffering for Jesus; being mocked, beaten, and crucified. The disciples did not understand this message yet, having only the concept of a king that would overthrow the current powers of their time and establishing His kingdom on Earth. James and John make a request known to Jesus to be seated in positions of honor. Jesus responds to them saying that they must share in His sufferings, this being the only thing Jesus promises them and adding that the Father wills who will be seated at His right and left. In making this known to James, John, and the Ten, Jesus then says that the authority given them is to be used in service, neither to be served or to intimidate others. Paul in his second letter to T
Read more

All Hallows' Day Reflection (1 Nov. 2020)

Image
  Psalms 111, 112 2 Esdras 2:42-47 Hebrews 11:32-12:2  The passage from Hebrews would probably seem less than encouraging to begin with, especially for us living in the comforts of the "developed world." We see throughout scripture most notably in the New Testament, and all through history of those who laid down their lives for their faith in Christ. We see this continuing even today im our own time of our brothers and sisters mostly in the Middle East, Central and Eastern Asia, China, North Korea, and even in parts of South America being killed. In France just this week (as I deliver this reflection) in Nice and Lyon Christians were martyred in their parishes. Sadly too many of us cower from the mildest forms. We may be ridiculed to the point of keeping our faith merely a private devotion or even walk away altogether for what ever the reason may be.  We get attached to the tings of this world; things immediate to us and things for which  we aspire. Love and excitement for th
Read more