From Austin Seminary: "Advent Devotional" for December 14

"A gift from our community of faith to you. We at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary are devoted to preparing outstanding leaders for Christ’s church. One of the ways that we nurture leaders is by building a loving community of faith and extending God’s grace to others. In this season of anticipation, we extend God’s grace to you and invite you to explore this book of Advent devotions. Through this collection, please join us as we prepare to receive God’s greatest gift—the birth of Jesus Christ."

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Advent Devotional for Sunday, December 14

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Paul encourages us in these times to remember the continuing call of Jesus. These days are not only the days of expecting the celebrated arrival of the baby Jesus but also the time of waiting for Jesus’ return. What exactly are we to be doing in these days? What is Jesus continually calling us to do?

In this meanwhile, we are to 1) Rejoice always. 2) Pray without ceasing. 3) Give thanks in all circumstances (for that is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you). 4) We are not to quench or put out the flames of the Spirit but rather to fan the flames of the Spirit. 5) We are not to despise the words of the prophets but to treasure the words of prophets. 6) Test everything. 7) Hold fast to what is good. 8) Abstain from every evil.

Rejoicing seems easy, for the most part, during Advent and at Christmas with Jesus in the manger and all things right with life. The list becomes more challenging on other days when life bears down upon us and we realize that we are to be thankful even though we do not feel like it. It is daunting when life threatens; we question, and we sharply react by attempting to extinguish the Spirit’s fire. We forget the Word, forget to test, lean away from good. When we are frightened, unsure, or lost, it is right to pray without ceasing. When bad days greet us, we are exhorted to rejoice. Rejoice? Rejoice! When we do not like what is before us, we are to give thanks, clinging to Scripture and testing against it. We are to keep doing good; abstaining from evil; praising God.

The text includes a blessing. May the God of peace sanctify you entirely. May your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Look! He is descending from heaven and is in the clouds!

What are we to do while expecting Christ’s return? 1) Rejoice always. 2) Pray without ceasing. 3) Give thanks ...

God of Peace, help us.

Courtney Hill Root
Middler MDiv Student

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For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.

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