A Time of Holiness

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A Time of Holiness

Andrea Lende • December 2, 2021

Luke 1:35-37

A Time of Holiness

You can listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/A-Time-of-Holiness-e1b4dio

Luke 1:35-37

“Then the angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and so the holy Thing which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God.”

“And listen! Your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is now the sixth month with her who was called barren.”

“For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.”

Such a holy time.

The Angel Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, was sent to two unsuspecting women.

Bringing Good News to both of them.

The best news either of them could have ever received.

The best news the nation of Israel could have ever received.

The Messiah was coming.

Can you imagine the Messiah and His messenger were to be born to these women?

One barren and older and the other a virgin.

The Angel Gabriel said, “For with God nothing is ever impossible.”

There is nothing impossible for the Lord today either.

As we celebrate this especially holy time this month, my desire is to keep it holy.

Even through the busyness of this Season, I believe God is calling for a time of holiness.

A time of worship.

A time to deeply connect with the One Who gives us our now and our forever.

As we celebrate the birth of His Son in just a matter of days, may we reflect on the gifts He came to give us.

Abundant peace and joy.

And may we pass these gifts out to all who we meet along our way.

Today I choose to meditate on God’s goodness and the gifts He has given us during this most holy time.

May you find the Lord to be merciful and gracious to you as you celebrate the coming birth of His Son.

Daily Prayer:

O Lord, my God, thank You for Your Word which tells the stories of times past. Thank You for sending Your Son to this earth to bring salvation to Your people. Thank You for this special Season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Help us hold this time as precious and holy. Help us find Your heart in the beauty that surrounds us as we prepare to celebrate. Help us receive Your peace and joy, Lord. Draw us closer to You with each passing day and help us deeply feel Your presence. May You walk closely with each one of us as we move through this Season. Help us lean into Your mercies and allow You to deeply care for us. Keep us Yours, Lord. Help us bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing our prayer.

Answer: I AM walking with you and all My people during this Season with special blessings for all.

Response: Help us receive Your blessings, most gracious and merciful Father.

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We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.

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By Andrea Lende • December 29, 2022

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By Andrea Lende • December 28, 2022

As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.

The Kingdom of God

By Andrea Lende • December 28, 2022

I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.

Strengthened With the Might of the Lord

By Andrea Lende • December 27, 2022

Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.

God Will Be Our Guide

By Andrea Lende • December 26, 2022

This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.

Unto Us A Child Is Born

By Andrea Lende • December 24, 2022

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God's Divine Plan

By Andrea Lende • December 22, 2022

The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.

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By Andrea Lende • December 21, 2022

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This is a picture of red Christmas balls and the words Merry Christmas

God's Power

By Andrea Lende • December 20, 2022

Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.