Advent 12/3/22 Sacred Time

Singing in Harmony
Saturday, December 3

Romans 15:4-13 (The Message)

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As it is written,
“Therefore I will confess you among the gentiles
    and sing praises to your name”;
 and again he says,
“Rejoice, O gentiles, with his people”;
 and again,
“Praise the Lord, all you gentiles,
    and let all the peoples praise him”;
 and again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse shall come,
    the one who rises to rule the gentiles;
 in him the gentiles shall hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Today is the first Saturday of Advent, ending the first full week of Advent as we are "Reflecting the Sacred."

This scripture was written long ago but is still written for us to read and believe today.

We are all to welcome one another and unify our presence in the ministry of fellowship. This can be difficult for me as I always doubt if "I'm good enough for God" and that other church members are superior to me.

This Advent season we should try to reach out to others as Jesus did, accepting all others as Christ accepts us.
 
I appreciated the translation of Romans 15:4-13 by Eugene Peterson: "Then we'll be a choir-- not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus"-- thus remembering that we are all God's children.

I pray today that the God of hope fills us all this Advent season with joy, peace, and the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, praise the Lord and sing praises!

-Ron and Karen Heindel