Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article En-couràge Sunday, December 9, 2012 Philippians 1:4-6 Brothers and sisters, I pray ALWAYS with JOY in my EVERY prayer for ALL of you. I am confident of this: that the one who began a GOOD work in YOU will continue to complete it until the day of CHRIST JESUS. John the Baptist blows his shofar three times and walks across the Brooklyn Bridge. He's ready to pray. He begins. "Prepare ye the way of the Lord!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSIs1MHdFQY He has been eating honey and locusts, and in that physical desert John has discovered joy. He carries joy before him, and sees that it is made to share. Many will hear his song. John remembers Isaiah and cries, "Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low." Isaiah pleaded with Israel, "Take off your robe of mourning and misery, and put on the splendor of glory from God forever. You will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God's worship." We light the second candle of Advent today, and follow the light. The light encourages us. There will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new" (Rev 21). Probably in prison, probably in pain, John too was filled with joy. He found what was far more real than any of his pain, his failure, his problem, his powerlessness, his inadequacy. In his weakness God was STRONG. His deliverance was accomplished. He was free. Lord we were like men dreaming. And then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with rejoicing. You have done GREAT things. And you are doing GREAT things. And you will always do GREAT things. And we are your children. What a joy. "; Add      Edit    Delete