Advent Devotions
All are invited as we Make Room this Advent season.
Seeking the Truth
This devotional is from Prince of Peace member Bob Reichman.
The writer of 2 Timothy says:
Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound teaching, but, having their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires and will turn away to myths. As for you, be sober in everything, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry about your ministry fully.
The time referred to in that passage could apply to many times and places throughout history, but for us, I think, that time is now. Our message of God’s unending, universal love is being drowned out by those spewing hate and spreading fear, while suggesting greed, violence and intolerance are not just acceptable but good.
What, if anything, can we do about that? We at Prince of Peace are more inclined to draw attention for what we do – the Sacred Settlement, for example — than for what we say. And that’s the way it should be. By their fruits you will know them, right? Yet, we also can’t be reluctant to tell others about what theologian and writer Thomas Jay Oord calls “the uncontrolling love” of God, a love that doesn’t coerce but that never goes away for anyone or any part of creation.
We don’t have to cede the moral ground to those who “turn away to myths.” If we take 2 Timothy seriously, we can “convince, rebuke and encourage with the utmost patience,” without having to be a “clanging cymbal,” which Paul says in 1 Corinthians is far less important than having love.
As a journalist for many years, my job was to present facts, to the best of my ability, and to share all perspectives. The idea behind a free press is that the so-called marketplace of ideas will lead to the truth. So, truth was my ultimate goal then. As a member of the community of Prince of Peace, it still is. The free press in our country is now under attack from those who fear the truth, the same reason that some try to distort the Gospel message: It was dangerous 2,000 years ago, and it’s still dangerous today to those who crave power at the expense of others.
Our job is to be sure that message of love is heard.
Prayer
God, help us to always love and to always seek the truth, both of which come from you.
Previously…
Invited to Hope
Today's author is Prince of Peace's Minister of Intergenerational Connection and Care, Julene Hannesh. Text: Jeremiah 29:1,4-14 Jeremiah writes to a people living far from home, exiled in a place they did not choose. Their world had crumbled, institutions had failed,...
Count on God’s Presence
Today's author is Prince of Peace member Gary Olson. Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14 Upon reading this letter in Jeremiah written to Judah’s exiles in Babylon, I think of the many people in our country who have been scooped up by ICE, put in detention centers and threatened with...
In hope we were saved
Today's author is PrincePrince of Peace's Intentional Interim Pastor, Steve Sylvester. In hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans...
Suffering (pt. 2)
Today's devotion was written by Prince of Peace member Carol Swanson. Text: Isaiah 52:13–53:12 One of those SNAFUs that happens... Wednesday’s devotion got only partly loaded. So this is partly repeat and then Part 2. How does God suffer as we suffer?...