Produced for The Point Jacksonville4300 St. Johns Ave. Jacksonville Fl, 32210

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Design, Artwork and Devotionals created by Bernabe Murguia © 2016 Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®, (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Advent 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Day 8 12/21Day 9 12/22Day 10 12/23Day 11 12/24Day 12 12/25EpilogueWorks Cited

Day 1 12/14Day 2 12/15Day 3 12/16Day 4 12/17Day 5 12/18Day 6 12/19Day 7 12/20

Advent 2016

acharias and his wife, Elizabeth, were described as righteous in thesight of God.

They walked blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

It’s easy to assume that their righteous behavior was somehow a guarantee for God to immediately answer any and every prayer they had. This wasn’t the case. We learn that Elizabeth was barren, advanced in years and had been praying with her husband for a child. (v. 7; 13)

It’s likely that Zacharias and Elizabeth endured moments of anguish and confusion, pleading with God for a child.

God’s silence in difficult situations doesn’t mean He has abandoned us or is ignoring us. Little did Zacharias and Elizabeth know that God was perfectly timing the birth of their child with the birth of the Savior of the world!

Always remember that God’s plan far extends beyond our plans and timing. We can rest assured that God knows what we need before we ask and will not withhold anything He knows will do us good. Our job is to humbly submit to God’s perfect timing in every situation and trust that He is working everything for His glory and our good.

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ReflectionsLook back at your life. How has God’s timing been perfect? Are you waiting for something

now? Remember, God is at work.

DAY Z

I12/14/2016

Main Text: Luke 1:5-14“They were both righteous in the sight of God,

walking blamelessly... Luke 1:6a

Advent 2016

t’s an understatement to say that God has a plan for your life as His child.

God uses our natural talents and equips us with new gifts through his Spirit so we can accomplish His purpose for our life.

John was no different. God’s call on his life was clear. He was going to “turn back many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.” (v.16)

Imagine the security God’s call and equipping produced in John when he felt discouraged or tired? Romans 8:29 reads, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son…”John was a ‘forerunner” for the Lord Jesus Christ.

He was to “TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

The same spirit that dwelled in John dwells in every believer today. Grow confident that as God’s child, He’s willing to lead you to fulfill your purpose if you submit your ways to Him. Psalm 119:105 reads, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” You don’t have to know every step of the way, just make His word your lamp.

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ReflectionsHow is God preparing you in this season of

life? What has God called you to do?

DAY I

212/15/2016

Main Text: Luke 1:15-17“It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in

the spirit and power of Elijah... Luke 1:17a

Advent 2016

od’s timing is difficult.

Zacharias, a priest of the Lord, had probably long given up on praying for a child. He was advanced in age and his wife was barren. However, God’s timing isn’t our timing.

It’s easy to forget that God is sovereign and has a plan and purpose for all of creation. He accomplishes His will according to his foreknowledge, not our desires. When the angel Gabriel told Zacharias that his wife would become pregnant, His doubt surfaced and he questioned Gabriel’s message - a message from God. His doubt caused him to be made mute until all that Gabriel spoke occurred.

Doubting God’s timing is similar to doubting God’s goodness, provision and care for our life. That isn’t to say we can’t sympathize with Zacharias’s doubt.

We’ve all been in a situation where our circumstances have convinced us that God has ignored our cries for help. God wants us to trust Him above our circumstances. He is faithful and will use every situation for our good as his children.

How did God use Zacharias’s lack of faith to glorify himself and make himself known? Can you think of a time when you reached your limit and took a trying situation into your own hands? What were the consequences of your decision? We can rest assured that when God promises us something, it will come to pass. Believe that God loves you and knows what is best for you.

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ReflectionsHave you given up on something God has

promised you? Ask the Lord to restore your faith in Him.

DAY G

312/16/2016

Main Text: Luke 1:18-25“...Elizabeth his wife became pregnant...”

Luke 1:24a

Advent 2016

oseph and Mary were in Nazareth engaged to be married.

In those days, an engagement was almost a guarantee of marriage. Breaking off such an agreement resulted in stern consequences.

In today’s passage, we find Gabriel visiting Mary to tell her that she would give birth to a son she must call Jesus. Gabriel described in great detail how her son would be called “Son of the Most High,” that “His kingdom [would] have no end.” Mary, however, was still perplexed by Gabriel’s salutation calling her “favored one,” and wondered how she could have a child being a virgin and knowing no man.

Gabriel answered Mary’s question by informing her that her son would be born of the Holy Spirit and for that reason, her son would be called “the Son of God. Let’s look at how both Mary and John’s lineage leads to David.

God promised David that his house and kingdom would reign forever. (2 Sam 7:16) In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, we find two slightly different lineage accounts confirming Jesus’s connection to David. Scholars agree that the genealogical description found in the Gospel of Matthew outlines Jesus’s connection to David through his adoptive father, Joseph.

Luke’s genealogical account is widely considered to be Jesus’s connection to David through Mary. This is important because in Joseph, Jesus has a legal right to David’s throne and through Mary, Jesus has the biological right to the throne, having David’s blood running through his veins.

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ReflectionsGod doesn’t make mistakes. He knows what He’s doing in your life. Do you trust Him?

DAY J

412/17/2016

Main Text: Luke 1:26 -38“Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”

Luke 1:28

Advent 2016

magine Mary’s thoughts for a moment.

Gabriel recently told her that she was miraculously going to be a mother, and that her child was going to be called “the Son of God!” It’s no wonder Mary set off to visit her cousin Elizabeth.

Luke reads that “Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country…” Gabriel had mentioned that her cousin Elizabeth was six months pregnant, and if that was true, it would confirm Gabriel’s message. The Bible doesn’t imply a long delay between Gabriel’s message and Mary’s journey to Elizabeth. We also don’t find any indication that Mary warned Elizabeth of her visit. Her Aunt’s response was therefore prophetic.

What was the significance of Mary visiting Elizabeth? It was a powerful witness for both women that God can do anything.

For Mary, it was another clear confirmation of Gabriel’s message. For Elizabeth, it was a powerful sign that the fruit in Mary’s womb was from God and that Mary was blessed. When Mary arrived, Elizabeth exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”

Elizabeth even confessed that Mary’s womb was caring the holy one by saying, “… how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?” (v.44)

Elizabeth also give us insight to Mary’s faith, as she exclaims, “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

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ReflectionsLook back on your life. How has God revealed

His word and presence in your life?

DAY I

512/18/2016

Main Text: Luke 1:39-45“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the

fruit of your womb! Luke 1:42b

Advent 2016

y soul exalts the Lord for He, The Mighty One, has done mighty deeds.

Elizabeth prophetically confirmed that Mary had the Son of God in her womb. Mary responds with a song of praise to God.

She opens up exalting the Lord in her soul and rejoicing in spirit in her God and Savior. While many might become anxious or fearful at the responsibility of raising the Savior of the world, Mary’s response was one of faith and delight in her God. Mary understood that because God had dealt favorably with her, He would guide and provide for her in every step of her journey.

Note that Mary praised God alone and considered herself a humble bondslave before God. She clearly emphasized that it was because of God’s mighty work on her behalf that she would be regard as blessed by all future generations.

Mary continues by praising God’s character as a mighty, merciful and companionate God who feeds the poor but also brings down rulers.

Mary’s song of praise is a powerful example of how we can worship our mighty God when he showers us with mercy. Like Mary, we can understand our true position as God’s servants and thank God for His many undeserved blessings. Let’s make it a habit to boldly give God praise from the deepest parts of our soul because has justified us through his Holy Son who payed for our sins on cross. Christ became sin, who knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. (2 Cor 5:21)

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ReflectionsWhen was the last time we gave God true,

heart-felt praise for all He has done?

DAY M

612/19/2016

Main Text: Luke 1:46-56“My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced

in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46-47

Advent 2016

he name “John” means “YAHWEH is gracious.”

Zacharias and Elizabeth, two righteous elder believers, experienced God’s graciousness in the birth of their son John, despite their doubt due to their old age.

Their journey of faith wasn’t easy. Elizabeth undoubtedly felt the judgements of many, who at that time believed that her inability to give birth was somehow a consequence of hidden sin. John on the other hand, had long given up hope that God wanted to bless him with a child. When the angel Gabriel finally appeared to him informing him that God had heard his prayer, Zacharias’s doubt left him mute.

Now it was time for Elizabeth to give birth and God’s graciousness was clear to everyone around them.

Neighbors and family alike all praised God when John was born. When Elizabeth picked the name John, her relatives protested claiming that no one else in her family had that name. When they asked the mute and possibly deaf Zacharias, he wrote on a tablet, “His name is John.” Everyone was astonished.

God won’t always make sense. He won’t always answer our prayers before we think it’s too late. However, God is gracious, and God wants to bring glory to Himself like He did in the life of Elizabeth, Zacharias and everyone around them. The scripture reads that fear came on all those living around them; and many wondered what this child would grow up to become because the Hand of the Lord was with him.

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ReflectionsHow does God want to glorify Himself in your life? Will you trust Him despite your

circumstances?

DAY T

712/20/2016

Main Text: Luke 1:57-66“Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about...” Luke 1:65

Advent 2016

magine the scene. Zacharias has just had his speech restored after naming his newborn son, John

Miraculously the couple agree on a name.Immediately, Zacharias is filled with the Holy Spirit, and begins prophesying about two important people.

Verses 67- 75 paint a clear picture, blessed be the Lord God for He has visited us and accomplished redemption and has raised up a horn of salvation. Zacharias’s words talk about Christ and His fulfillment of both the Davidic and Abrahamic Covenants. [1]

The Davidic covenant promises an heir to David’s throne who would rule a free and independent Israel. The Abrahamic Covenant promises that Abraham’s people would one day possess the Promised Land and would in their prosperity, bless other nations.

In verses 76 – 79, the focus shifts to John’s future ministry. “And you child, will be called the prophet of the Most High,” John’s purpose was to prepare the hearts of Israel to repent from their sins. Zacharias’s prophecy deals with Israel and those who would be redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

The New Covenant establishes God as Lord over all the families of Israel. This New Covenant could only be achieved through the preaching and practice of repentance for sins - exactly what John preached to prepare the way for Jesus. In short, for Israel and all nations to be blessed, they must submit to the New Covenant brought through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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ReflectionsHave your repented of your sins and been made right with the Father? Jesus Christ is

the way.

DAY I

812/21/2016

Main Text: Luke 1:67-80“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited

us...” Luke 1:68a

Advent 2016

aesar Augustus was the 1st emperor of the Ancient Roman Empire.

He was born in 63 B.C. and is widely considered to be one of Ancient Rome’s most successful rulers. His decree for a census was instrumental in fulfilling a biblical prophecy made 600 years earlier. [2]

In Micah 5:2, the Prophet wrote “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem in order to fulfill biblical prophecy, but Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth.

When Caesar Augustus issued his census, Joseph had to return home to Judah, the city of David called Bethlehem, to be counted as a member of the house and family of David.

While in Bethlehem, “the days were completed for her to give birth,” and Jesus, the Savior of the world was born in a manger, “because there was no room for them in the inn.”

I hope that you are beginning to see how God’s sovereign hand has been perfectly working throughout history to prepare for Jesus’s birth, ministry, crucifixion and resurrection. Even before time, God’s plan was to redeem his creation from sin. It includes God’s covenants with Abraham and David, numerous prophecies like Micah’s foretelling details of Jesus’s birth. It reaches to the New Testament to Elizabeth’s miraculous birth and Zacharias’s prophecy. God is at work and with Him, nothing is impossible.

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ReflectionsGod can and does use everyone for His plans

and purposes. Trust His sovereignty.

DAY C

912/22/2016

Main Text: Luke 2:1-7“And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she

wrapped Him in cloths,” Luke 2:7a

Advent 2016

n John 10:11 Jesus call himself ‘the good shepherd,” throughout scripture believers are called sheep.

It’s interesting to notice then that some of the first people to set their eyes on the newborn savior were shepherds.

Being a shepherds wasn’t an easy or glamorous profession. Shepherds had to get up early and stay up late every day to tend, feed and protect their flock from predators, thieves and other dangers. Shepherds also spent a majority of their time alone in desolate pastures far away from the general population - well beyond city limits. They also weren’t considered very righteous because they couldn’t always keep the Sabbath – dangers don’t take Sabbaths off. [4]

It’s easy to wonder why God sent such a glorious spectacle of angels and heavenly host to mere shepherds who had close to no status or influence.

It’s because Jesus is “the good shepherd [who] lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) His salvation extends to everyone who believes, not just the powerful and wealthy. It also demonstrates how Jesus, like a good shepherd, would offer his life on a cross to defeat the sins of his flock. [3]

Also, because sheep have no natural defenses, Jesus is our shepherd who protects us and guides us into life everlasting. Like sheep, we must live completely dependent upon the good shepherd, Jesus Christ who is the only way into Heaven. John 10:7 “Truly, Truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.”

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ReflectionsJesus is the good shepherd. Do you recognize

his voice?

DAY I

1012/23/2016

Main Text: Luke 2:8-15“for today in the city of David there has been born

for you a Savior...” Luke 2:11a

Advent 2016

he shepherds both heard and saw the glorious spectacle of angels and heavenly host declaring the birth of the Lord.

Now they had a decision to make. Would they believe and set off in search of their Savior?

Luke 2:15b reads, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem which the Lord had made known to us.” They were obedient and set off to find Joseph, Mary and the newborn Jesus. Imagine the anticipation, thoughts and questions they had as they made their way to Christ. Luke 2:17 reads that when they had seen the child and his parents, they made know to them the statement which had been told them about this child.

The shepherd’s testimony was yet another powerful witness to all who heard it, so much so that the witnesses wondered about what was said.

Our testimony of Christ doesn’t have to convince anyone, but it should at least cause others to wonder about our life, testimony and what God has done for us. It’s the reason why Mary is said to have treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Finally, after the shepherds headed back home, they did so “glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.” (v20) Christ’s birth is a reason to glorify God and give him praise. His life should inspire us to tell others about the good news of the Gospel. The miracles surrounding His birth should reassure us that God is in complete control of our past, present and future.

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ReflectionsIs the birth of Jesus Christ good news to you?

Who have you shared it with?

DAY T

II12/24/2016

Main Text: Luke 2:15-20“The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen” Luke 2:20

Advent 2016

n 1 John 2:2 it reads, “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

Jesus had to be a perfect, spotless sacrifice on our behalf. At eight days old, Mary named her child Jesus, just like the angel instructed.

He was circumcised according to the Covenant of Circumcision God made with Abraham in Genesis 17:12 and therefore committed himself to fulfill God’s law entirety. [5] After Mary’s 33 days of purification according to Leviticus 12:1-8, she brought the child to the temple to present him to the Lord.

Because Jesus was Mary’s first child, she had to offer either a pair of turtledoves or young pigeons for a burnt and sin offering to the Lord. This was in obedience to Exodus 13:2-3.

God slayed the first born of Egypt, but passed over the Israelites and said “Sanctify to Me every firstborn…”[6] We learn that Mary and Joseph couldn’t afford the customary lamb, and brought a pair of birds instead.

In the temple two people, Simeon and Anna, spoke about the child. Simeon declared that Jesus was the Lord’s Christ and “…salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel.” To Mary he said “…this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel…”.[7] Finally, the prophetess Anna gave thanks to God and told all those who were looking for redemption about the baby Jesus.

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ReflectionsJesus is God’s annointed Son, the Christ.

Have you believed in Him alone to pay your sin debt?

DAY I

1212/25/2016

Main Text: Luke 2:21-38“A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,

And the glory of Your people Israel.” Luke 2:32

Advent 2016

esus is the reason for the season.

Christmas is a celebration of Christ, the Messiah’s birth. God’s only begotten son “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”

However, Christ didn’t just come to earth for fun, He came to live a perfect life and become the acceptable payment for our sins.

As Philippians continues, “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:6-8

It’s all because God so loved the world, that Jesus came, lived, died and rose again, “that the world might be saved through Him.” (v.17)

However, as verse 19 reads, “This is the judgement, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.”

However, there is hope! Verse 18 reads, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18. Today, you can admit to God that you’re a sinner. Ask God to forgive you of your sins and believe that His Son Jesus has paid your debt in full. Surrender your life to God and believe in His son and you shall be saved!

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ReflectionsWho do you need to tell about this good news

of God’s great love and salvation?

EpilogueJ

Main Text: John 3:16-21“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only

begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

Advent 2016

Works Cited

Produced for The Point Jacksonville4300 St. Johns Ave. Jacksonville Fl, 32210Design, Artwork and Devotionals created by Bernabe Murguia © 2016

[1] Zachariah’s Song of Salvation: The New Covenant, Part 1 - Grace To Youwww.gty.org/resources/sermons/42-19/zachariahs-song-of-salvation-the-new-covenant-part-1

[2] Caesar Augustus - About Christianitywww.christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentpeople/a/JZ-Caesar-Augustus.htm

[3] What did Jesus mean when He said “I am the good Shepherd?” - Got Questionswww.gotquestions.org/Good-Shepherd.html

[4] Shepherd - Bible Study Toolswww.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/shepherd/

[5] Matthew Poole’s Commentary - Bible Hubwww.biblehub.com/commentaries/luke/2-21.htm

[6] Matthew Poole’s Commentary - Bible Hubwww.biblehub.com/commentaries/luke/2-22.htm

[7] Matthew Poole’s Commentary - Bible Hubwww.biblehub.com/commentaries/luke/2-34.htm

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