KNOWING YOUR BIBLE
November 28, 2021: Dear Friends, today is the first Sunday of Advent. The word Advent refers to a period of time, the four Sundays prior to the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas. The custom of observing Advent during this time period has been passed down through the ages and is recognized and practiced by most Christian churches.
Advent is a time set aside to focus on the coming birth of Jesus Christ and on the meaning of his life. During this time of waiting and preparing ourselves for the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, contemplate on what his purpose was, how faith and belief in Jesus influences our lives and what Jesus actually means to us as believers in him. Set aside a time to study and think on these ideas. This should be a personal, reflective time, to draw near and close to Jesus. Drawing near and close to Jesus will provide a deeper understanding of who he is and the purpose of his life.
The first Sunday of Advent is usually associated with the word “Hope”. Jesus’ birth and being the “Son of God” was prophesied in the Old Testament. The focus of the prophesy was that living conditions and circumstances were so bad that God would send his only son to reign as the Messiah, bringing hope, peace and joy, and causing living conditions and circumstances to be better. In actuality, as seen as we study Jesus’ life in the New Testament gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, living conditions and circumstances in one’s life does become much better as we come to know Jesus through our Bible studies and worship services.
The people of Jesus’ time did not accept Jesus as the Messiah when they came to realize that Jesus, the Messiah they expected, was not the Jesus who Jesus was and is. Who Jesus was and the expectations of who Jesus, the Messiah was, were of two different, incompatible beliefs of who he was, one being material in wealth, and possessions as the “King” of the Jews, and the other who was and is, the spiritual, the Prince of Peace, with his authority growing continually, as written in Isaiah chapter 9, verses 6-9.
Bible verses will be listed below to search for and read from the prophets of the Old Testament with some verses on his birth and references to his being the Messiah from the New Testament. When time allows, return to the blogs written from April 11 through June 27, 2021, to help in learning and knowing the Bible. Remember, the more you read and study the Bible, the closer and nearer you will become to God as written in James, chapter 4, verse 8 which says: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you…….” MAY YOU BE BLESSED IN YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK! BIBLE VERSES: Isaiah, chapter 8, verses 11-22; Isaiah, chapter 9, verses 1-7; Micah, chapter 3, verses 8-12; Micah, chapter 4, verses 1-7; Micah, chapter 5, verses 2-5a; Matthew, chapter 2, verse 3-6; Matthew, chapter 1, verses 18-25; Matthew, chapter 2, verses 1-6; Luke, chapter 2, verses 1-20; John, chapter 4, verses 25-26; John, chapter 19, verses 1-16. Hebrews, chapter 10, verse 23; and Hebrews, chapter 11, verses 1-3.