The Lord's Anointed eBook: Advent and Christmas Devotions for Young and Old

By Lyle L Luchterhand

Advent and Christmas Devotions for the Whole Family!Christmas— the high point of the year. A time for family and friends, reunions and traditions, hospitality and good will. But it is also a time for introspection and spiritual renewal.The Lord' s Anointed is a collection of 41 brief readings for Advent and Christmas. These easy-to-read daily devotions are perfect for family use or private meditations as a way to prepare for the Savior' s birth.Devotions begin the first Sunday in Advent and go through Epiphany (January 6).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Northwestern Publishing House
• Release date: Jul 1, 2009
• ISBN: 9780810024816

Book preview

November 27

A PROPHET LIKE MOSES

THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL RAISE

UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME

FROM AMONG YOUR OWN BROTHERS.

YOU MUST LISTEN TO HIM

(DEUTERONOMY 18:15).

We seem to spend half our lives waiting. Waiting in line at the checkout counter, waiting at a stoplight, waiting to get into the bathroom, waiting for people who are late for an appointment. We hate waiting. We love e-mail, microwave ovens, and fast-food restaurants. We love people who are always on time. Let’s face it—we’re addicted to instant gratification.

The Israelites waited four hundred years for Moses to come and deliver them from their slavery in Egypt. They knew they would someday possess the Promised Land. God himself had issued the covenant-prophecy to Abraham, assuming his decendants wouldn’t remain in Egypt forever. But four hundred years was a long time to wait. Many generations died in poverty, misery, and slavery in Egypt before their deliverer finally came.

Moses was not only the Israelites’ deliverer; he was also their prophet. As their prophet, he spoke God’s Word to them and relayed God’s messages to them. The Israelites were happy to have Moses stand between them and God, delivering God’s messages. They remembered the thunder, lightning, and smoke of Mount Sinai. They were terrified when God met with them on the mountain. They said to Moses, Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die (Exodus 20:19).

Imagine the Israelites’ reaction when they learned that God would raise up another prophet like Moses from among them. Who would that prophet be? And what would he tell them?

God’s people waited for that promised Prophet for 1,500 years. But when Jesus came, they were not disappointed. Jesus was far superior to Moses. Though Moses talked with God face to face, as a man talks to his friend, Jesus had an even closer relationship with God. He was God’s Son. Moses was a sinner and, because of his sins, was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. Jesus was the spotless Lamb of God, welcomed into heaven itself and invited to sit at the right hand of God.

Other factors point to Jesus’ superiority. Moses, by God’s power, rescued tiny Israel. But Jesus, by his own divine power, rescued the whole world. Moses brought liberty to slaves in Egypt; Jesus brought liberty to slaves of sin. Moses presented God’s condemning law on two tables of stone; Jesus revealed the full measure of God’s grace and mercy in the gospel. His message about God’s love and forgiveness gives us hope.

Today we wait for Jesus to come again. We not only wait to celebrate his birth at Christmas, but we also wait for his Second Coming. Unlike the Israelites, we know exactly who is coming and why he is coming. He is our loving Savior and Redeemer, and he comes to rescue us from everything that brings misery to our lives. He comes to take us to heaven. However long we wait for him, we will not be disappointed.

Blessed Jesus,

thank you for coming as the Lord’s Anointed and our great Prophet. Thank you for revealing to us the wonderful grace and mercy of God.

Amen.

November 28

SHHH, JUST LISTEN!

WHILE HE WAS STILL SPEAKING,

A BRIGHT CLOUD ENVELOPED THEM,

AND A VOICE FROM THE CLOUD SAID,

"THIS IS MY SON, WHOM I LOVE;

WITH HIM I AM WELL PLEASED.

LISTEN TO HIM!" (MATTHEW 17:5).

It pays to listen. When a mother patiently explains to her toddler that it isn’t good to leave her side and run out into traffic, it pays to listen. When tour guides at the Grand Canyon warn people not to climb over the railings, it pays to listen. When the lucky number for the prize of a lifetime is about to be announced, it pays to listen.

We’re not always good at listening. There are too many voices competing for our attention. Too much cheap, unsolicited advice. A multitude of shaky opinions. A steady stream of contradictory judgments batters our ears and clouds our minds until we say, Enough, already! Don’t you think I know what I’m doing?

But we don’t always know what we’re doing.

It’s important to listen to people who love you and people more experienced than you are. It’s especially important that you listen to Jesus.

At Jesus’ transfiguration the Father placed his stamp of approval on Jesus’ teachings. He proclaimed that in Jesus he is well pleased. Jesus is his Son. Jesus is that special Prophet, the Lord’s Anointed, whom God sent to show you that the Father’s heart is bursting with love for you.

But are you listening to Jesus? He reminds you of the importance of your soul. If you were to gain the whole world but lose your own soul, you would profit nothing. Does the way you live show that the eternal welfare of your soul is your highest priority? Or, are you too often distracted by things that sinners like us can get caught up in?

When Jesus encourages, Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32), do you still allow fears to intrude in your life? Are you still working to earn the kingdom, or have you received it as a free gift through the sufferings and death of Jesus?

Whether you have good health or chronic illness, whether friends are faithful or fickle, whether life is a bowl of cherries or a plate of rotten eggs, do you believe Jesus’ promise that he will always be with you? When the bottom drops out of your life, when the wheels come off and the roof falls in, do you still believe Jesus’ promise that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28)? Listen to Jesus when he reveals the Father’s heart of love. Listen to Jesus and believe!

Many are led astray by voices that urge them to save themselves. Many follow the crowds and chase after the fool’s gold of worldly riches. Many listen to their sinful nature and climb the ladder of earthly success, all the while neglecting the needs of their souls. Don’t make those mistakes. Listen to Jesus. Follow his loving advice. Follow his voice all the way to heaven.

Lord Jesus,

give me ears to listen to you and a heart that trusts in your gracious promises.

Amen.

November 29

ONLY ONE WAY

SIMON PETER ANSWERED HIM,

"LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE

GO? YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF

ETERNAL LIFE" (JOHN 6:68).

There’s more than one way to do most everything. If you want to be rich, you can marry into money, you can work hard for it, or you can inherit it. If you want your house painted, you can hire professionals,