Advent Devotions Door County 2023

Our Surprising Sovereign Savior A man named Saul “persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.” He “dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.” “Breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord”, Saul went to Damascus, so that “if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” And then this happened on the road to Damascus: “a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’” All this is in the New Testament book of Acts. Saul met the Lord Jesus himself while on the way to persecute followers of Christ. He was converted to faith in Jesus. It was all God’s doing. Saul was not looking for Jesus. He had no interest in honoring Christ. He wanted to destroy the church of God. But God said, “You will not destroy the church; you wil...

“Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?” - Luke 24:32 (KJV) Luke tells the story of two disciples walking home to Emmaus after the Passover. The day is light, but a darkness of despair is over them. They talk of the trial and the crucifixion of Jesus. Soon they are joined by a Stranger, but in their disappointment they don’t recognize him. As they walk, the Stranger reveals from scripture what Christ was to be in humanity. The Messiah was not to take His throne in accordance with the desires of men. His words brought comfort and understanding. They began to feel hope as the Stranger was opening their minds that they might understand the Scriptures. As the sun sets they arrive home but still hunger to hear more from Him. “Abide with us,” they said and He “went in to tarry with them.” A meal is prepared and as He blesses and breaks the bread their eyes are opened and they knew him and he vanishes. It is the Lord Jes...

Via Dolorosa… The Way of Sorrow Simeon said to Mary in the Gospel of Luke, “This child is destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel… and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” After nine months of anticipation, a birth is met with joyful celebrations. As elaborate as some may be, nothing can match the heavenly spectacle which heralded Jesus’ birth- a host of angels as far as the eye could see filling the night air with proclamations of God’s favor. A week after Jesus’ birth, another celebration ensued when Mary and Joseph brought their first-born to the temple. A man of advanced years and wisdom, Simeon, burst into praise and conferred a blessing upon them. And yet, immediately following the blessing, an unnerving prophecy- ‘a sword will pierce your own soul.’ The Via Dolorosa is the route on which the Roman Soldiers marched Jesus- from the Judgment Hall of Pilate to the place of Crucifixion. It is the Way of Sorrow. It is a ‘Way in a Manger’. It was foreseen by the Prophe...

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.  And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,  saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” - Luke 22:39-46 Advent is such a great season of remembrance and celebration. It is filled with singing hymns and songs declaring that Christ has come. We read how our Lord left the perfection of heaven to take on flesh being full...

“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.” Matthew 17:1-2 (NASB) Around the fourth century, tradition recognized Mt. Tabor as the place of Jesus’ transfiguration. Some scholars question and argue that it was more likely Mt. Hermon, since it is the highest peak. But let’s not get distracted. Peter is glad to have witnessed this and immediately wants to build three dwelling places. Peter, like us, gets distracted from what just took place. Then they hear a voice say, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” Jesus just had a mountaintop experience and these chosen three witnessed something spectacular. Something that will change them forever. We each have these mountaintop experiences in our life with Jesus as our guide. They might not s...

Advent Greetings, Friends! Bethany is a village on the Mount of Olives, and a place mentioned frequently in all four Gospels. It was the home of Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus, and the miracle of Lazarus's resurrection took place there. It was also in Bethany that a woman poured a bottle of expensive perfume over Jesus' head while he was dining in the home of Simon the leper. Jesus was good friends with Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Lazarus is referred to as “the one You love…” Jesus also lodged in Bethany during his final days in Jerusalem, the Palm Sunday procession started out from there, and after Jesus had risen, he appeared to his followers and he then led them on the road to Bethany. Also on that road, he blessed his followers, and then rose up into Heaven. Bethany is the place of Ascension. As we prepare for a baby in a manger, God Immanuel, we might also be reminded of all that the Messiah was to live out: born in Bethlehem, crucified at Golgotha, rose again, ap...