Editor’s Note: This is the final reflection in an eight-part Advent series. We’ve invited some friends of our ministry to write the devotionals. The theme is based on 1 John 4:19: “We love because he first loved us.” The heart of our ministry is to connect people to Jesus. As we near Christmas, we want to reflect on the fact that we only get to connect people to Jesus — and have a personal relationship ourselves (PTL!) — because God first connected with us through Jesus. We hope this Advent series encourages you.

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10

by Lauren Libby

One of the most basic emotions people struggle with is fear. Fear can paralyze us, drive us to action and cause us to question who we really are. Fear is something, if we are honest, that drives us to certain […]

Editor’s Note: This is the seventh in an eight-part Advent series. We’ve invited some friends of our ministry to write the devotionals. The theme is based on 1 John 4:19: “We love because he first loved us.” The heart of our ministry is to connect people to Jesus. As we near Christmas, we want to reflect on the fact that we only get to connect people to Jesus — and have a personal relationship ourselves (PTL!) — because God first connected with us through Jesus. We hope this Advent series encourages you.

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.” Malachi 3:1

by Dr. Peggy Banks

John the Baptist was the chosen messenger who is mentioned in Malachi 3:1. He had the mission to prepare the way for Christ, the Messiah. John went into all the regions around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Editor’s Note: This is the sixth in an eight-part Advent series. We’ve invited some friends of our ministry to write the devotionals. The theme is based on 1 John 4:19: “We love because he first loved us.” The heart of our ministry is to connect people to Jesus. As we near Christmas, we want to reflect on the fact that we only get to connect people to Jesus — and have a personal relationship ourselves (PTL!) — because God first connected with us through Jesus. We hope this Advent series encourages you.

I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne … Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:1,8 (NIV)

by Paul D. Bramson

The Lord called Isaiah to look in four directions.

Look upward. Isaiah saw the King of glory seated upon a […]

Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in an eight-part Advent series. We’ve invited some friends of our ministry to write the devotionals. The theme is based on 1 John 4:19: “We love because he first loved us.” The heart of our ministry is to connect people to Jesus. As we near Christmas, we want to reflect on the fact that we only get to connect people to Jesus — and have a personal relationship ourselves (PTL!) — because God first connected with us through Jesus. We hope this Advent series encourages you.

by Lisa Hall

Guilt. A nagging feeling that can overshadow your life. But how do you get rid of the overwhelming sense of guilt and shame that separates you from the one you offended? Fortunately, God reveals his plan for this in the Bible. Because he is a God that values and initiates relationships, God chose the Israelites to be his people and for him to be their God. He […]

Editor’s Note: This is the fourth in an eight-part Advent series. We’ve invited some friends of our ministry to write the devotionals. The theme is based on 1 John 4:19: “We love because he first loved us.” The heart of our ministry is to connect people to Jesus. As we near Christmas, we want to reflect on the fact that we only get to connect people to Jesus — and have a personal relationship ourselves (PTL!) — because God first connected with us through Jesus. We hope this Advent series encourages you.

“The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” John 10:3-4

by Camille Bishop

One of my favorite descriptions of Jesus is found in John 10 when he declares that he is a good shepherd […]

Editor’s Note: This is the third in an eight-part Advent series. We’ve invited some friends of our ministry to write the devotionals. The theme is based on 1 John 4:19: ” We love because he first loved us.” The heart of our ministry is to connect people to Jesus. As we near Christmas, we want to reflect on the fact that we only get to connect people to Jesus — and have a personal relationship ourselves (PTL!) — because God first connected with us through Jesus. We hope this Advent series encourages you.

“During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help.” (Exodus 2:23)

by Bryce Harrison

Day after day and morning after morning, the men, women, and children of Israel dragged themselves out of bed and into the work fields of Egypt. Under the desert sun, they toiled and labored until […]

Editor’s Note: This is the second in an eight-part Advent series. We’ve invited some friends of our ministry to write the devotionals. The theme is based on 1 John 4:19: ” We love because he first loved us.” The heart of our ministry is to connect people to Jesus. As we near Christmas, we want to reflect on the fact that we only get to connect people to Jesus — and have a personal relationship ourselves (PTL!) — because God first connected with us through Jesus. We hope this Advent series encourages you.

by Jon Fugler

When we think about callings in the Bible, one that jumps out is Abraham’s. God clearly spoke the calling and promise on his life:

“I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2 NIV)

God put an exclamation point on this calling by making […]

Editor’s Note: This is the first in an eight-part Advent series. We’ve invited some friends of our ministry to write the devotionals. The theme is based on 1 John 4:19: ” We love because he first loved us.” The heart of our ministry is to connect people to Jesus. As we near Christmas, we want to reflect on the fact that we only get to connect people to Jesus — and have a personal relationship ourselves (PTL!) — because God first connected with us through Jesus. We hope this Advent series encourages you.

by Cassie Martin

During Advent, Christians anticipate the glorious incarnation of Jesus, born in the City of David. The Word of God, the image of the invisible God, became a flesh-and-bones human and dwelled among the people he created. During Advent, we sing, “O come, O come, Immanuel” – God with us!

As a human, Jesus would feel pain and know loss. He would be rejected and despised. So, […]