Fourth Week of Advent

Devotional Musings

fourth week advent wreathFourth Week, Fourth Candle

A friend recently said about the Advent season, “We’re waiting for Christ, not for Christmas.” All the fun of waiting–for the day we gather with family, or the time we can finally see what’s inside our Christmas stocking or open those mysterious presents beneath the tree–is just a foreshadowing of the greater celebration.

One day, Jesus will return. One day, He’ll welcome us to the home He’s prepared. One day we’ll have a party with all the loved ones who’ve gone before. One day we’ll experience all the wonderful surprises He has for us and the time when He wipes away our tears.

And while we wait, He is also waiting. He’s waiting for more people to meet Him. He’s waiting for each of us to know Him better.

Our Savior  fulfilled every promise and prophecy when He came to earth as a newborn in Bethlehem, and we can trust Him to fulfill all the promises for our future.

So as we prepare food for our Christmas dinner, or put a shiny bow on a package, or sign a Christmas card, we can remember that He is also preparing the Feast of the Lamb.

Have a blessed last few days of Advent!

Sharon Hinck

(author of The Deliverer)

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Why Christ’s Call to “Fear Not” is Such a Gift

Devotional Musings, Prayer,

Fear Not“Fear Not!”

Throughout scripture when God sent His messengers, the words, “Don’t be afraid,” were often a key part of the conversation. Mary is given the remarkable news that she will give birth to Jesus, and the angel tells her not to fear. An angel appears to shepherds near Bethlehem and prefaces the good news with the reassurance, “Don’t be afraid.”

Jesus also teaches His disciples about the Father’s great love and invites them away from worry in Luke 12:32.

I love this verse, because:

  1. It shows us that He understands our trembling hearts. Life can be scary. He knows and He cares.
  2. Next, Jesus points us in a direction to change our focus when we are afraid. When we look toward our loving Creator, the things that terrify us grow smaller as we see His greatness.
  3. Finally, we see the joy of God’s unfolding plan. He gives us the kingdom…and Jesus embodies that kingdom.

As we celebrate that Jesus came into the world, we are celebrating the One who can confront our fears, who can fight for us when terrifying situations assail us, and who will deliver us safely home.

Today, let’s be honest about our fears. Because of certain life circumstances, I worry about losing touch with important relationships and being lonely and isolated. Others I know are concerned while they wait for results from medical tests and the diagnosis they dread. Some friends have watched their jobs crumble out from under them. What are you afraid of today? Let’s bring those to Jesus and let His words speak strength to our hearts.

Blessings!

Sharon Hinck

-author of The Deliverer

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Third Week of Advent

Devotional Musings

Third Week of Advent

Third or Shepherd Candle

We’re halfway through the Advent season, and it’s getting harder to hang on to a spirit of contemplative waiting and spiritual depth. In Patti Hill’s excellent blog post, she uses the term, “holly-jollier-than-thou,” to describe the race to keep up with Christmas preparations.

That’s why I love our Advent wreath. Stopping to light the candles and read a prayer aloud gets my soul back to a healthier focus.

So I invite you to pause with me today as we light the Shepherd Candle.

One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 Peter 2:25:

“For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (ESV)

As we wait for the celebration of our long-awaited Shepherd, we ponder our great need. We are so prone to wander, so quick to follow false shepherds. Yet instead of anger or disdain, God meets us with love and tenderness.

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 (ESV)

During this third week of Advent, let’s seek to hear our Good Shepherd’s voice, follow where He leads, and thank Him for the joy His angels proclaimed to shepherds near Bethlehem as He stepped into humanity to rescue us.

Blessings!

Sharon Hinck

 

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Second Week of Advent

Devotional Musings, Prayer

second week of adventSecond Candle, Second Week

On this next Sunday in Advent, we light the second candle – the Bethlehem candle.

The birthplace of our Savior reminds us that He comes as a servant King, humbly, and to bring us peace with God.

I love the rough-hewn ornaments in this photo, because they fit the theme that we meditate on today. The King of the universe, the Creator of all, was willing to enter the very human world of our lives. He slept in a feeding trough, far from the palaces of the so-called powerful.

Does your life ever feel roughly carved, of ordinary and humble substance? Does glory and glitter seem far from your experience?

Take heart! Jesus is at home in your life, with all its rough edges. He doesn’t ask for a palace, but for a place in your heart. He comes into surprising places and accomplishes amazing change.

“Open our eyes to see more of your surprises in the unexpected moments of our day. Amen” — Read more at:  Our Lord Emmanuel: Daily Prayers for Advent

May this second week of Advent continue to fill you with joy as He joins in you in the difficult and humble places of life.

Blessings,

Sharon HInck

 

 

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Superbook

Random Thoughts, , ,

superbook

My son recently told me he’d bought Superbook DVD’s for his three-year-old daughter.

“I want her to learn the Bible stories the way I did–with time travel and robots,” he said.

When I read him Bible stories, there were also Arch Books involved, and other great children’s Bibles.

Beginner's Bible

 

 

But I digress.

(When I was three years old, I was learning the Bible stories via flannel-graph boards. Anyone remember those?)

On a recent visit my granddaughter asked me to tell her the story of Adam and Eve. I started with creation, and told about the beautiful garden and the tree that Adam and Eve weren’t supposed to eat from. I got to the entrance of the snake, when she stopped me.

I thought she was concerned about the dark story unfolding as sin enters the world, and I was quick to reassure her that God already had a plan to save us.

She shook her head. “No Grandma. Tell me the part where the two children arrive with the robot.”

Ummm… yeah. Her parents are going to have quite an adventure teaching her.

However you dig into the Word, I pray it will strengthen your walk today!

Blessings,

Sharon Hinck

 

 

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Seven Things My Grandson Taught Me

Random Thoughts

grandsonGrandson Wisdom

Several years ago, I wrote about seven things my granddaughter taught me.

My hubby and I have just returned from a wonderful visit to get acquainted with our new grandson. Once again I found that a baby’s perspective on life has a lot to teach me. When I observed my granddaughter, she was five months old. Our grandson was only two weeks old, so his perspective is a bit different. Here are a few bits of newborn wisdom:

  1. People won’t always understand what you need, but your voice still matters
  2. Sometimes you just need to scrunch your face up and cry
  3. Music always makes things a little better
  4. No matter how distressing life is, there are always arms to hold you
  5. The world is full of amazing wonders everywhere you turn
  6. There is no such thing as too much snuggling
  7. You don’t have to be productive to be cherished

If your day feels particularly painful or difficult, I pray that you can know the truth that you are cherished by the One who made you, and that He will send arms to hold you, music to soothe you, and wonders to delight you.

Blessings!

Sharon Hinck

 

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Where is Our True Fortress?

Devotional Musings, Prayer,

My fortress“The Lord is my rock and my fortress…”

How often do my fears cause me to create my own little fortress? My feeble efforts to control life, to steer others, and to cushion myself from possible harm only cause me to look away from my true Deliverer.

My self-made protections are feeble and crumbling. When I finally admit that, I’m able to stop relying on myself and turn to the only One who can save me, protect me, and guide me safely home.

Lord, please help us stop seeking false refuges. Help us find strength from Your Word, grant us trust in Your mercy, and deepen our faith in Your purposes. Amen.

Blessings! Sharon Hinck

(For more devotional thoughts and prayers by Sharon Hinck,  see Our Lord Emmanuel: Daily Prayers for Advent or Mornings with Jesus)

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First Week of Advent

Devotional Musings, Prayer

first week of advent

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” Galatians 1:3-4 (ESV)

This first week of Advent …

… we light the first candle on the Advent wreath, the prophecy or “hope” candle. We review the prophecies that comforted those waiting for Jesus. What a joy to see how God’s plan was unfolded.

We also look around at a world full of shadows, and long for His light. We so clearly need a Deliverer.

So during Advent, we celebrate that Emmanuel, (God with us) has come, is come, and will come.

  • Past – He fulfilled each prophecy and walked the sandy paths of Judea.
  • Present – Jesus also intimately journeys through our present life with us.
  • Future – And one day He will gather us to Himself.

“Jesus, you taught us to pray, ‘Deliver us from evil,’ and then in your great love, you provided that very deliverance through your presence. You are both our prayer and our answer.”

(Read more in:  Our Lord Emmanuel – Daily Prayers for Advent)

I pray that this week we can notice the light of Jesus at work in our lives and in the world. May His presence bring you hope and comfort.

Blessings,

Sharon Hinck

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Daily Advent Prayers

Book Buzz, Devotional Musings, Prayer, ,

Advent Prayers

Blessed Advent Season!

For those of you who follow a liturgical church year, you know that we are entering the season of joyous preparation as we ready our hearts for our coming Savior. Taking time for quiet contemplation is a great way to move our focus from holiday “To Do” lists and onto the Incarnate Christ who is Emmanuel – God with us.

I was blessed last year when I was invited by Creative Communication for the Parish to write a prayer booklet for Advent. Our Lord Emmanuel contains Bible verses and brief meditations for each day leading up to Christmas. Each week features a specific theme: Emmanuel our Deliverer, Emmanuel our Savior, Emmanuel our Shepherd, and Emmanuel our King.

You can get it today – in time to begin using the prayers as part of  your Advent devotions. The e-book version is only 99 cents at Kindle and Nook. Even if you don’t own one of those e-readers, you can buy the booklet to read on your computer or phone.

What an amazing truth! Our God doesn’t stand far off. He is WITH US. And He invites us to linger with Him in the coming days.

Whether you use a wreath with candles, or a special calendar, or just add quiet prayers to your day, I hope your coming weeks will be deep, tender, and comforting. May our Lord Emmanuel shine light in our hearts and help us to be lights in a dark world.

Blessings!

Sharon Hinck

 

 

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Thanks – Given to You

Devotional Musings, Prayer

ThanksAs I prepare my heart to focus on God’s many gifts, I want to reach out to my readers. You are a precious gift in my life.

I give thanks for you.

Whether you follow this blog, have read my books, subscribe to my Book Buddy newsletter, use the devotion books I write for, or just pop in occasionally to see what’s new, I’m blessed by my encounters with you.

Thank you for sharing your stories. Thank you for letting me pray for you. Thank you for letting me know when something I’ve written encourages you. Thank you for posting reviews and spreading the word about a new book release.

I’m so grateful that we can share the challenging adventures of life and keep pointing each other to the One who knows the end of the story.

I pray your Thanksgiving celebration will be warm and wonderful.

Much love,

Sharon

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