God works powerfully through those who recognize and display their own weakness, so that he gets all the glory. Our confidence should not be in any of our own strengths, but in God's grace. A person who is secure in Christ points to Jesus rather than themselves, joins with Jesus in his sufferings for his church, and lets their weaknesses be seen to magnify God's power.

Believers must remain watchful and faithful to Christ by guarding the truth about who he is and what he has accomplished in the gospel. False teachers often appear impressive, persuasive, and spiritually compelling, yet they reveal themselves by their self-interest, adoption of the world's values and methods, and their subtle distortion of Jesus and his salvation.

If we seek self-worth or approval by comparing ourselves to others, we will experience false pride, constant insecurity, and a loveless competitive spirit with others. Our true confidence, approval, and worth are found in what God says about us. All who know God through Jesus Christ can find rest and joy in God's eternal commendation of them.

Jesus modeled a deliberate pattern of withdrawing to seek the Lord through regular quiet times. He also showed that he purposely makes us go out of our way to earnestly pursue him.

In reverent silence we approach the incarnate Christ, the Bread of Life, who gives himself for the life of the world and draws us into the worship of heaven.

Jesus Christ is Creator and King. This world has suffered long in decay and pain because we have rebelled against him. The great joy of Christmas is that the King has come—not only to save sinners, but to reclaim his world and rule it with perfect righteousness and steadfast love. He brings blessing where there was curse, and joy where there was sorrow. Let us open our hearts to his Lordship, lift up our voice in praise, and labor to make him known as we bring his goodness into this world, and eagerly await for the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Summary: The Advent season is a time for extended wonder. Wonder at God's peace-making mercy. Wonder at God becoming human. Wonder at the gift of eternal life. Then we turn all that wonder into worship of King Jesus.

Summary: Just as the faithful at the time of Christ's birth longed for the Consolation of Israel, we also yearn for Jesus' coming. For when He arrives, He will complete our salvation, banish sorrow forever, order all things in perfect wisdom, and unite all peoples in everlasting peace.

Every Christian is a soldier in Christ's Kingdom, marked by gentleness, focused on refuting the lies of Satan with Christ's truth, authority, and power. The result of this battle is conversion of the lost, strengthening of fellow Christians, and the silencing of satan's influence in the church.

God loves a cheerful giver and blesses them with every kind of abundance so they always have what they need to keep blessing others. Even more, He enriches the giver with spiritual growth and fills the recipient with gratitude and worship, knitting their hearts together in the grace of God.