When singing the song "Joy to the World" by Isaac Watts I am filled with joy! We can boldly sing - Joy to the World because the Lord has come! We can boldly sing Joy to the World because the Savior reigns. We can boldly sing No more let sin and sorrow grow because Christ conquered sin, death and the devil. We can boldly sing He rules the world with truth and grace because He has provided us the truth through scripture and grace through His death and resurrection. I hope when you sing this song your heart and soul fill with joy!
Something that reveals information; information that would be helpful. The information within the photo helps the reader understand about George Washington's Boyhood home. A curve sign along the road helps the driver understand that they should expect the road to curve and at what speed the curve should be taken at. The information provided by the sign is not only helpful in some instances it is necessary. The Lord promised a Savior to be born as well as provided information so all would know a Savior was born. "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14. There is no doubt that on the day Jesus was born that He was the Savior; born of a virgin. The people throughout the ages had been given a sign of what was to come. They had been given information that helped them understand what was happening when it happened. We have been provided the same gift. When Jesus returns 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 provides us information. "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God...therefore encourage one another with these words" (Verse 16 and 18). Through the ages people shared how the Savior was going to be born. We now need to share with one another how He will come again!
Someone who speaks for God. Name after name pops into my head of the prophets that are throughout scripture and they all shared important messages from God. To contemplate what God has shared over time reveals Hope! Look at Isaiah 9:6 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Way back, years before the Son was born, it was told that He would be born of a virgin. AND our Heavenly Father followed through! It has been told that Jesus will return once again and just as God has followed through on all the other promises He will follow through on this one too. Jesus will one day return and our eternal home will be awaiting us!
An act of mercy shows an act of kindness; maybe even in an instance where one doesn't really deserve the act of mercy. In this photo, I am not sure who is showing who mercy. The dog doesn't particularly care for the donkey and the donkey doesn't particularly care for the dog. Yet, in this particular moment they were merciful to one another. The donkey didn't kick the dog and the dog didn't chase and bark at the donkey. Extending mercy to others can be difficult when we don't particularly like when someone has done something. Thankfully, Christ's mercy has been extended to us despite the fact that we do things that are dumb. Actually, he has abundantly provided His mercy. "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions." Psalm 51:1 And Lamentations 3:22 states, "His mercies never come to an end". 
Strong...
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24. 
Gather...
One of the definitions of justice is to administer deserved punishment. Imagine the justice we deserve because we cannot keep the law perfectly. Because we cannot keep the law perfectly we will face punishment for that. In fact, we will face the punishment of death. "For the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23). We will also face discipline because we have done wrong. BUT...we face discipline because God loves us. "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves" (Hebrews 12:6) It definitely is not fun but it is in our best interest. "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11)
Christmas is hope! We have hope because a Savior was born on Christmas day. "And the angel of the Lord appeared to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord". (Luke 2:10-11) We have Hope because He perfectly fulfilled the law; we have hope because He paid the ultimate price through His death; we have hope because He rose from the dead; we have hope because He was born! Merry Christmas!
Unwavering...I cannot think of anything that is truly unwavering in our world. Structures are not unwavering, people are not unwavering, nothing is unwavering. What we do have that is unwavering or steadfast is the Lord's love. "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever." Psalm 106:1. This is one of many times that scripture reminds us of the unwavering love we have. It is in His steadfast love that we have Hope! It is in His steadfast love that we have the grace of eternal life!
Today the weather produced a wintery mix, which I find little delight in. I am the kind that loves sunny and warm! However, when the wintery stuff arrives I do find delight in the beauty that comes from winter and I brave the outdoors for a few minutes to take some photos. This is similar to the law of God. Psalms 40:8 notes, "I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." Many times we do not find delight in God's will. We want to do our own will. Yet, the will of the Lord is to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11) and there is great delight in the plans the Lord has for us. 
Mornings can be a great time for some and others not so much. No matter if you are a morning person or not when one awakes there is something beautiful awaiting us. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Every morning we are able to start fresh knowing that His love will never cease! The Lord has provided us a beautiful promise and painted a beautiful picture as the sun rose over the ocean. Yes, I did not take this picture today but find great joy in revisiting God's beautiful creation. I am so glad I choose to get up that morning to witness God's artwork!
Day two the word is Bound - and not much popped into my head. Already stumped on day two! So I went to my favorite website - dictionary.com to see if I was missing a definition of bound. The definition that jumped off the page was "Secured within a cover" and what an appropriate word for Advent! 
We have a "stop" button in God's word! We have that lamp that is shining in a dark place that gives us the hope we need and the knowledge that we have an "out". Christ has already won the victory of death and the devil!
There is a "movement" in today's society that states anyone can be "spiritual" from where they are at and there is no need to attend church. True - we can live a spiritual life and celebrate Christ each and every day and it is done outside the walls of the church. In fact, we can be a witness to so many by our everyday lives. Yet, church should be an integral part of our lives. It is an opportunity to be fed by the Lord's shepherd and hear the Word of God. It is an opportunity to come together with your "family" and worship. It is an opportunity to gather as a "family" and pray for one another. It is an opportunity to celebrate with your "family". It is an opportunity to build relationships with your family and your church family. It is an opportunity to deepen your relationship with Christ.
Social media and devices are not "bad" things! In fact, I am using social media to communicate with you. It is a great tool that has been given to us at this time in our lives. The key to that statement is "tool". Social media and devices are simply a "tool" and if one were to take a look in a toolbox there are multiple tools to use. Communication needs to occur through multiple formats! 
It is pretty humbling when you stop and consider all that Christ has done and continues to do for us. He literally gave up everything so we could have everything. No, we don't have all the earthly possessions we would like but we have everything we need and we have a place in Heaven! There is no better gift given to us than what Christ has given. 
As a parent, it is no fun disciplining a child! However, when a parent chooses not to discipline a child the child does not learn there is a right and a wrong. In all actuality, the child suffers more from not being disciplined than by being disciplined. The child doesn't learn how to properly treat people, or learn that the world does not revolve around them, or simply learn no means no. This lack of learning can prevent the child from being successful through childhood and adulthood.
The Psalms are worded so beautifully. Have you ever sat down and used a Psalm as a prayer? You can pray just this verse over and over again because our mouths can get us into so much trouble and we often focus our hearts on other things than the Lord. When I started the Bible Passage for the Week, I suggested you put the verse around your house to remind you throughout the week what the verse was. This is a great verse to have about and even memorize - Cheryl
