“The Advent Event”

 Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV)

⁶ For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

As we approach the beginning of Advent something dawned on me with this time period. I as many believers do not know the importance of Advent. In fact I found myself not even really knowing what it is or it's importance. Is it just a Catholic time frame like Lent or is it more like the longing of the coming of the Messiah during Passover?

The truth is it is both and yet neither. It is so far greater than our imagination.

IT IS THE COMING OF OUR KING, OUR GOD AND OUR MAKER!

As I frequent my nearest Starbucks I noticed the cute little houses for Advent. I thought, “How cool and neat that is.” When I looked at it, it is so much more than the cute little Advent Calendar. Let me explain.

What is Advent you may ask? Well it is the longing, the desire and the anticipation of the coming of the Messiah. It is celebrated with the start being four Sundays prior to Christmas, December 25. With each week prior, the anticipation is celebrated in a different way.

Just as Palm Sunday is celebrated so is Advent in the same way. This is what is so cool about Starbucks, Target or any other large chain that sells the Advent Calendar. They are professing the Messiah’s Coming and may not even realize it. Scripture tells us that God’s Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11).

As I sit here writing this blog I am just as emotional and passionate about the coming of the Messiah as I am sitting in the presence of God.

A little over four years ago Hillsong put out a song called “You’ll Come.” Over the past couple months my church has been playing this song. I heard part of this song about 6 months ago but could never figure out what the song was called or even who sang it. Then there it was right in the middle of service.

The song goes a little like this.

“You’ll Come”- Hillsong

Verse 1
I have decided I have resolved
To wait upon you Lord
My rock and redeemer shield and reward
I'll wait upon you Lord

Pre Chorus
As surely as the sun will rise
You'll come to us
As certain as the dawn appears

Chorus
You'll come let your glory fall
As you respond to us
Spirit rain flood into our thirsty hearts again

I have decided…to wait upon the Lord. As surely as the sun will rise you’ll come to us. What better news can we have than waiting upon the Lord, the Messiah to come to us? Know that when He comes all the chains that hold us down will be broken and all of the sorrow and pain will have healing and joy. When all of this happens Christ, our Messiah WILL be revealed.

When I hear this song my spirit is so moved with excitement and anticipation. Oh to be in the presence of our God and Savior.

Imagine just a minute if you will. Imagine receiving an invitation to have dinner with the most famous person you could dream of spending 3 hours at dinner with. I am not saying being in the same building; no I mean sitting right across from that person and being able to ask any question that may be vexing you direct without interference.

Now imagine that magnified by 50 times. This is what I am talking about. Now imagine being in the presence of one; the Messiah. The one who made you and knew you before your very existence. This is how we need to be each Advent, each day we attend service and moreover each day we arise knowing we are waiting in anticipation of THE MESSIAH!

What will you see, what are you expecting? Are you looking for a healing? Are you looking for a mended heart? Maybe you are just looking for a Savior. He is all that and more!

So with Advent around the corner what will YOUR Advent Event look like? Will it be another day or will it be a time to see God move in your life, in your family, in your work or in your legacy?

It is up to you. A SAVIOR IS COMING!

CAL

Slip on By

James 4:14 (NKJV)

"whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."

It is so easy to assume life will continue on forever when your young. You think "wow 20 years is a long time" only to be the one at the end of that 20 years to just scratch your head and think what just happened as you find yourself at the other end.

As I reflect on my short forty years I look at the good and bad to notice one thing remains the same. Life is short. I don't know my time and don't even want to ponder it.

Truth be told with all the bumps and bruises time has done one thing to me, slowed me down. Like speed bumps on a road, life has it's ways of getting your attention. You can try to fly over them only to realize that it creates more damage. You can avoid them but you will find you will never move forward. The goal is take each slowly.

Life is much the same. We need to slow down to find the favor God has in store for us.

When I was younger I found myself wanting to be the conqueror. I loved, and still do, planting flowers and plants. Now I find myself savoring the opportunity to take in the fragrance and tasting the fruits of labor.

Moreover today I find myself planting seed. It is in the seed you find the most reward and requires the most patience. 

Today's seeds are much like the seed of a farmer, but more important. It is that seed that breaths life in another. It is the seed of hope. It is the seed of faith. It is the seed that sees another through next day. It is that seed that speaks life.

So as I look back on my life I know I don't have a guarantee  for tomorrow, as it is only on lone to me, I thank God for today and the promises given to me. It has only been through the tragedies of the past that I have learned how to truly appreciate each day and those I come in contact with.

Just a few weeks ago a song came out by a group called Finding Favour. The song is called "Slip on By."

The song is very good but the music video is much more thought provoking. As you watch, you are drawn into what looks like a photo album of memories of years gone by.

The song talks about an old man who was talking to a younger man of his regrets and how he would change things only if he could. As a result the younger man rushes home to remind his wife how much he loves her.

You know there is one who loves you more than you will ever know. Each morning He paints the sky with such vibrant colors. At night He lights the sky with a panoramic light show more amazing than the best firework display. As we sleep He blesses us with a kiss more precious than what a parent can give. And if we stop and think about Him and talk to Him He wraps us in His embrace.

Don't let another day just slip on by! Don't take your loved ones for granted as you don't know what tomorrow may hold. And more importantly don't talk God's blessings, big or small, for granted as you may miss out on a blessing.

CAL