Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Get Ready!

Some of the country has already experienced severe winter weather and the season is barely underway. How did you go about preparing for an event you know is coming?

In getting ready for winter, my mind runs through a quick checklist.

           Are the hoses coiled and indoors? Are the outside faucets turned off?

           Has the deck furniture been stacked?

           Is salt or its equivalent ready in case of ice?

           Does the car have an ice scraper?

The season before Christmas, known as Advent, is a season of preparation – a time of getting ready.

So, we have another mental checklist.

           Is my/our home decorated?

           Have I/we obtained gifts for Christmas

           Given the pandemic, how will I/we connect with people?

Advent is especially the time to prepare our hearts. “Let every heart prepare him room!”

Spend some time alone this busy season. Prepare yourself, get ready, to open your heart more widely to Jesus. Focus your mind on this Lord who loves you. Acknowledge and confess your sin and rely on our Lord’s forgiveness and cleansing. Formally offer room in your heart to him.

Make worship with God’s people a priority.  Allow the joyful music of the season and the power of our Lord’s Word to speak to your deepest heart – and share that heart with the Lord who shares his heart with you!

“Come thou long expected Jesus.”

Joy to you -- E. Stanley Ott            

© Copyright 2020 E. Stanley Ott

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What are you doing this Advent to prepare for Christmas and what is different about this year?

What people will you connect with and how will you do it. Socially distancing? Zoom? Other ways?

What are you doing to prepare your own heart - to create fresh room for Jesus - and a desire to know, love and follow him?

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Photo by Caleb Fisher on Unsplash