Day 10: The Real Thing

Welcome to our 25 day Advent study and Advent Calendar which we are preparing through November to be able to use in December.   Each day has a Bible Study related to Advent, a worship video, a passage telling the Christmas Story and a Bible verse to ise on your Advent Calendar.  You can download the PDF with today's study and verses here.

Advent Study
[Jesus said,] “For false Christ’s and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect – if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.”    Mark 13:22-23

I’m told that those who handle money are taught to look for counterfeit bills in a certain way. They don’t learn about what counterfeits would look like; instead they learn what the genuine article looks like. There are many ways to make false currency, but the real thing is always the same.

So it is with Jesus. He never changes, but how do we recognize Him when He comes? In John 5:39, Jesus provides the answer: “The scriptures testify about Me.” The Bible tells us who Jesus is, why He came, what He did, and what He’s going to do.

A good summary statement is found in Ephesians 2:8-9, which tell us that our salvation is a gift from God through Jesus. Most false messiahs would cast doubt about the “gift” and the “not-by-works” part, turning our attention away from Christ for the assurance of salvation toward their own words or our own worthiness or feelings. Because we are sinful, we live under the law, and anything that turns us away from Christ is false – no matter how comforting or reassuring it may seem. During Advent, as always, it’s important to keep our focus on Jesus so that we won’t be deceived by counterfeits.

Prayer
It is so comforting to know that you never change—you are always the same. You love me and want to bless me. Help me stay focused on your gift of grace this Christmas. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Ponder
Presents come wrapped in beautiful packages with special papers and bows. Think about the greatest gift you have ever received. How has that gift changed your life?



Worship Video



Christmas Story
Matthew 1:22-26
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.


Bible Verse
Matthew 1:22-23
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).


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