Advent Devotional: Tuesday, December 11

Then He said to his disciples, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers [are] few..." (Matthew 9:37)

There is nothing wrong with the Harvest – what we lack at times is the number of workers needed to reap effectively and abundantly.

Lord, increase our faith to believe that the Harvest truly is great and that a multitude will be saved at the end of the age!

Advent Devotional: Monday, December 10

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!" (Luke 2:13-14)

Christians do God a great disservice when they promote unbiblical stereotypes about His anger and wrath. The Gospel is good news, and the sending of His Son shows what is in God's heart - that He has good will towards the human race.

God, help us to be careful not to misrepresent You before people when speaking of matters of sin and judgment. For You have demonstrated Your good will in sending your Son, and demonstrated Your love in that "while we were yet sinners" He died to restore our fellowship with You!

Advent Devotional: Sunday, December 9

...behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

The message of God's grace through Christ is for all people everywhere. The Bible teaches us that the Kingdom of God will be comprised of those from every nation and language.

Father, as souls come to faith in You, may our church family always reflect the diversity of the people of our region. This will serve as a powerful testimony of the grace of God that has appeared to all men. Help us to remember to go - not just to those who look like us - but into all the world.

Advent Devotional: Saturday, December 8

...and the Lord, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in: behold, he shall come, says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:1)

As we reach out to the community, let's remember to keep praying for God to do the things that only God can do. The Lord still comes suddenly to His temple, and when His People pray He will do surprising things and unexpected works of grace will be seen in people's lives!
Lord, we ask You to come on the scene suddenly and do great and mighty works of grace which we did not expect.

Advent Devotional: Friday, December 7

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8b)

In sharing with others we should be confident that Jesus has come to untie everyone and everything that the devil has bound up. May God help us to encourage those who are in the grip of life-controlling habits and addictions that there is power to help them in Jesus' Name.

Jesus, all authority has been given to You in Heaven and in earth. Display Your power in the lives of people by setting them free from bondages of every kind.

Advent Devotional: Thursday, December 6

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38)

Once we take positive steps to speak to others about the Lord, we are often pleasantly surprised to find that some are already "looking for redemption." Perhaps they have known God at a distance. Perhaps they have heard about Jesus but do not yet realize that He is the way of redemption God has made – that He is willing and able to buy them back to God out of the slave market of sin. Like the people to whom Anna spoke, they need someone with an experience of God through Christ to share the truth of Jesus with them!

God, let us experience a true harvest from among those who have already begun seeking You!

Advent Devotional: Wednesday, December 5

...they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek (Micah 5:1)

Many of the prophecies of Jesus' first coming relate to His suffering and death. The world does not understand why Jesus had to die. Many view it as foolish, pointless or even blasphemous that God would have a Son and send him to die for mankind.

Father, today we pray that You would enable us to explain the message of salvation through Jesus' Blood to people and that they would see the beauty of Christ's love displayed in the Cross.

Advent Devotional: Tuesday, December 4

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. (Isaiah 9:7)

The Prophet Isaiah tells us that Christ's government and peace will increase forever. But we often fail in our faith by "writing people off." We refuse to believe that the government and peace of the Lord can hold sway over the "hard cases," and that people who begin as hostile towards Him can enjoy the benefits of living in His Kingdom if they will simply come to Him.

Lord, help us to believe that Your government and peace will spread over even the "hard cases!"

Advent Devotional, Monday, December 3

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

The many titles of the Lord Jesus reveal His wonderful multi-faceted ministry to men – the many ways in which He can minister to every broken place in the human heart. We often drink from wells that do not satisfy, for we forget Him who is able to give us counsel, might, and peace.

Lord, may we grow in our ability to present You to others, and hold You up as the answer for every man's need.

Harvest Time Advent Devotional begins, Sunday, December 2

Welcome to Harvest Time Church's Advent Devotional - with an Alpha twist!

Throughout the Christian world, people celebrate Advent as a time to reflect and prepare spiritually for Christmas. This year we are joining together as a church family to make our hearts ready for our Winter Alpha Outreach, which we're calling the Alpha Experience. Please pray with us each day for the Harvest, and for the part each one of us is called to play in sharing Jesus’ love!

Sunday, December 2

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (Isaiah 9:2)

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we're reminded afresh that many do not know its real meaning. Many have forgotten Christ or perhaps have never known Him, and so Christmas for them is just a festive part of the "holiday season." People need the light of God, and on that first Christmas, He revealed His light to the world in the person of His Son.

Father, this Christmas, we pray that You will reveal Your light and life to those in our region who do not know You, to those who walk in darkness!