Advent Devotions
All are invited as we Make Room this Advent season.
Philip and James, Apostles
Today’s author is Pr. Richard Rhoades, from Galveston, TX. This devotion comes from “Christ in Our Home.” Paper booklets of this devotion are available at Prince of Peace.
Jesus said…”Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still do not know me?” (v.9)
Philip had been with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry. Originally a follower of John the Baptist, he was called by Jesus to follow him. And he did. Then Philip urged Nathanael to “come and see” the one they had been waiting for (John 1:45-46.) Philip was present at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, and he witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. No wonder Jesus asked Philip the hard question we read today.
The apostles give me hope. They reveal themselves as imperfect humans, yet Jesus never gives up on them. And Jesus never gives up on us. I’m sure I’ve exasperated Jesus with my questions, doubts, and struggles. Yet Jesus continues to love me into who I am in God’s eyes.
Though he questions Philip, Jesus keeps proclaiming the good news: He says those who trust him will do even greater works than he does. Along our way, Jesus welcomes us, reveals what grace-filled love is, and show us what God can do.
Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me beyond my faults. Amen.
Previously…
Why?
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Bones of Contention
Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Bob Reichman Ezekiel 37: 1-14 (Valley of Dry Bones) As a child, and well into adulthood, I was very thin. So thin, in fact, that one of my dad’s favorite nicknames for me was “Bones,” as in, “You’re nothing but skin and…” I...
Dry Bones
Today's author is Prince of Peace’s Intentional Interim Pastor, Steve Sylvester. Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14 “Prophesy to these bones…” In Ezekiel’s dry bones story, four times God tells the prophet to prophesy, to speak to the bones. And it’s not just that the prophet...