An Advent of Faith

“The Grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant
with Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus.”  ~ I Timothy 1:14

There is so much to be said about “Faith!” When you pursue “Faith” in the Scripture, there are 247 mentions of “Faith!” As we think on Advent and the decisions that were made by Mary and Joseph, we recognize the Power of Faith that moved them.  It was the Holy Ghost at work. There are so many teachings out there in this area of Faith, that I must muster of Faith to bring forth this “Advent of Faith!” Often there seems to be a mystery that surrounds “Faith” but today we look at simplicity of simply believing in God, Trusting His Word and walking out our life for Him. Faith to me is a walk, not so much a commanding, if you understand what I mean. Again we look at Mary as this Advent unfolds. For a moment let us follow Mary as she begins her walk of Faith toward the Birth of Christ. There usually seems to be a “conformation” when we take on a Faith Walk for the Lord. It might be a huge conformation, or it might be a small Word of God in season coming out of nowhere, like a friend, or a statement in a sermon, we turn to a Passage of Scripture that pops out and speaks to us, etc. Mary’s conformation came when she visited her Cousin Elisabeth. Miraculous things were happening to Elisabeth, she was older and had been barren when the Angel of the Lord appeared unto her husband. We’re talking about an Advent filled with the Power of the Holy Ghost! It is an Advent of Faith, Faith to believe in God’s Promise, even to us! What glorious Miraculous season of Advent. Holy Ghost is at work! Zacharias, Elisabeth’s Husband was a Priest and He was standing at the Alter when the Angel Gabriel appeared unto him with a powerful Message. Interesting; The Angel said: “Thy Prayer is heard: they wife shall bear a son and thou shall call his name John.” Hear Zacharias response: I am an old man, and my wife is well stricken in years! This leads me to believe the Prayers they had prayed was some time ago. Now these Prayers were happening!  Sometimes we think God does not hear us but be assured He is always listening, and in His Timing and according to His Will our Prayers will bear fruit!  This is a perfect example of God’s timing. John would be the one who proclaimed to masses, “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world!” The Conformation: When Mary arrived at her Cousin’s and Elisabeth heard her greeting: “The babe leaped in her womb; Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: she spake out with a loud voice … Blessed art thou among women, and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Whence is this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? All these things are a part of a Glorious and Miraculous season of Advent!  Loving U, Pastor