Advent 2025 - Hope

Advent 2025 – Week 2

Hope, Expectation

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body…But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Romans 8:22-25).

Hello, my friend…

It has been a couple of days since I posted and for that I apologize. Life sometimes gets in the way of our best-laid plans. But God is good.

Today I want to address, once again, the subject of hope. These past two years (specifically) have been, for me, all about finding my peace and re-igniting hope within my heart. I have been a titled Christian since 1979; however, up until around 2024 I lived my life in chaos and stress. I was SO concerned about pleasing denominational guidelines and standards that I couldn’t relax and truly enjoy the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Sadly, I was not/am not alone in that pursuit.

So many people get caught up in the “thou shalt nots” and the “thou shalts” and make this whole life about rules and regulations. Preachers love to really bear down on these denominational boundaries because it makes life easier. If someone “breaks” one of these man-made traditions, the pastor can easily and quickly dole out correction and discipline. These points of dogma make religion easier to explain. For example, if someone is praying for a healing but don’t receive it, the pastor can quickly reflect on his or her teachings and accuse the suffering one of not having enough faith, of having some hidden (or open) sin in their lives, or simply lean back on the doctrine of God’s sovereignty. Everything is neatly packaged and mathematically predictable. Oddly enough, God doesn’t always follow OUR words, but He fully expects us to follow His.

Even a cursory reading through the gospels reveals Jesus (as Immanuel, God With Us) using those the modern church would reject. For example, Jesus chose Judas to keep the finances for the disciples. Judas, of course, was one of the Twelve so he had full access to Jesus, got to witness the power of God, and even participated in ministering under the leading of the Holy Spirit. Yet, when the fullness of time came, it was Judas who betrayed Christ to the Pharisees. Jesus often used the unclean for some of His most meaningful revelations in teaching. The adulteress whom the Pharisees brought before Him, serves as a lesson in repentance and forgiveness for you and me. Zaccheus, the tax collector, serves as a lesson in restoration and acceptance. Looking back in Jesus’ bloodline, we find Rahab the prostitute, who serves as a reminder that God can even redeem our family history and bring honor to those who serve to fulfill His purposes.

I don’t know about you, my friend, but I am SO TIRED of fighting my physical hungers and habits. I am weary of struggling with inner demons, haunting thoughts, ongoing guilt and shame over past actions and behaviors. There are days, I will openly confess, that I just want Jesus to return and end this whole charade. Even Paul wrote about struggling to do those things he knew he should do and how he struggled to not do the things he shouldn’t. That was PAUL. If the man responsible for writing half of the New Testament to the churches (including our scripture for today) struggled, what chance do I have?

We see the world around us writhing in suffering as never before. Volcanos are activating that have lain dormant for decades, earthquakes are hitting areas previously not known for their activity, storms are more violent now than in years past, and even humanity has become more violent than we’ve seen outside of wartime. It seems the tension in the air has been elevated to fever pitch, yet no one seems to be able to explain it. Of course, we Christians understand because Jesus warned us this would happen.

I want to encourage you today to hold onto hope. The Bible has much to say about this subject. Of course, during this time of the year we celebrate the original Advent of the Christ-child. We remember His arrival as a Babe in the manger with the heavenly hosts singing His praises. I LOVE this time of the year because of this very reason. The entire world seems to slow down just enough to at least give a nod to the idea behind Christmas and to share with others a sip of the milk of human kindness. But our hope, brothers and sisters, goes so much beyond the little Babe in the manger!

We are looking forward with anticipation to the day He returns – not as a baby, but – as a conquering King. Our souls are excited as we think of the redemption of our bodies – of the release of sin forever from off our lives, of the falling away of sickness and disease, of the cessation of death and separation from our godly loved ones. As we close out this age, we are preparing for the next phase of God’s plan as He prepares us for the New Jerusalem, the new heavens and the new earth. We will live forever with Him – no more dying, no more sadness, no more sin.

If this is not your experience at this moment, I strongly urge you to settle your account with God. He has done everything possible to bring you into the family. When He returns, your chance will be forever gone – there will be no “do-overs”, no mulligans, no excuses. He has prepared the way. All you have to do is call out to Him, to simply confess your sinfulness, ask Him to come into your life and heart, and allow His Spirit to breathe new life into you. Please make this the best Christmas you have ever experienced! I am praying for you.

Be blessed.