THIRTY SIX PRE-TRIB RAPTURE POINTS...

This was shared to me and I feel compelled to share it. So many I know, who have hearts for Jesus, have confessed that they believe the Church goes through the Tribulation. That the Rapture happens at the end of the 7 years of Jacob's Trouble. This breaks my heart. Having studied God's word, I do firmly believe the Rapture happens first, then the Tribulation, followed by the Millennial Kingdom, and finally the New Heaven and the New Earth.

THIRTY SIX PRE-TRIB RAPTURE POINTS...

1. There are no passages in either the Old Testament or the New Testament that say the Church will go through the Tribulation Period.

2. The Tribulation Period is called the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” [The time of unbelieving Israel’s Trouble], but it is never called the time of the Church’s Trouble (Jer. 30:7).

3. Gabriel told Daniel, “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people [Daniel’s people are the Jews] and upon thy holy city” [The Holy City is Jerusalem] (Dan. 9:24). There is no mention of the Church.

4. The Church had no part in the first sixty-nine weeks and it will have no part in the seventieth week [the Tribulation Period] (Dan. 9:24).

5. In the Book of Revelation, John role models the Church when he is caught up in through the door in to heaven, in the Spirit. This shift from earth into heaven is a picture of the Rapture in Rev. 4:1 which is before the Tribulation Period described in Rev. 6:1-19:21 begins. In the sequence of events, the Rapture is before the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments.

6. The Church is mentioned 19 times in the first three chapters of Revelation, 5 times as the 7 Golden Candles sticks (19 + 5 = 24), but the Church is never mentioned in the description of the Tribulation Period between Rev. 4:1 and Rev. 19:1.

7. The Tribulation Period is called a Day of Wrath in the Bible (Zeph 1:15), but the Bible says, “God hath not appointed us [the Church] to Wrath” (I Thess. 5:9).

8. The Tribulation Period is called a Day of Wrath in the Bible (Zeph. 1:15), but the Bible says, Jesus has “delivered us from the Wrath to come” [delivered the Church from the Tribulation Period] (I Thess. 1:10).

9. The Tribulation Period is called the Day of the Lord in the Bible (Zeph. 1:14). The Bible says, “the day of the Lord [the Tribulation Period] so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they [the unbelievers] shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them [upon the unbelievers], as travail upon a woman with child; and they [the unbelievers] shall not escape” (I Thess. 5:2-3). It clearly teaches that the Tribulation Period will come upon unbelievers, but it does not include believers.

10. Concerning the Rapture, the Bible says, “Comfort one another with these words” (I Thess. 4:18). There’s no comfort in the teaching that the Church will go through part or all of the Tribulation Period. This not to be confused Christian persecution which occurs at all times before or after the Rapture.

11. Jesus told the Church at Philadelphia, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation [the Tribulation Period], which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Rev. 3:10). God promised to keep the obedient Church members saved by grace out of the Tribulation Period which is a time of Wrath...

12. According to the Bible, the marriage of the Lamb will take place in heaven before Jesus comes back to fight the Battle of Armageddon at the end of the Tribulation Period (Rev. 19:7-21). This means the Church will go to heaven [be Raptured] for the marriage of the Lamb before the Second Coming.

13. The end of the age will be like the days of Noah (Matt. 24:37). Noah and his family were safely carried through Tribulation [got on the ark] before the flood. But interestingly, Enoch was signlessly caught up Pretribulationally, completely out of the World  ["Raptured" before the Tribulation flood Period began] (Gen. 7:23).

14. The end of the age will be like the days of Lot (Luke 17:28). Lot and his family were removed from Sodom before the judgment of God [before the fire and brimstone fell] (Gen. 19:16). Some believe this means that the Church will be removed from the earth before the judgment of God [Raptured before the Tribulation Period]. The righteous did not perish with the wicked.

15. Jesus was talking about the Tribulation Period when He said, “Pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass” (Luke 21:36). It seems unreasonable to believe Jesus would tell the Church to pray for something He is unwilling to grant.

16. The Bible says, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming” (2 Thess. 2:7-8). The most common interpretation of this is that the Antichrist can’t be revealed until the Restrainer [who most commentators say is both the Holy Spirit removing the Church] like Abraham's servant brought Rebekah to Isaac. If the Restrainer is the Bride, this means the Church will be removed before the Antichrist is revealed [that’s the Pre-Trib. Rapture]. But suppose the Restrainer is the Holy Spirit only so that the Holy Spirit is removed without the Church, this means believers will cease to be indwelt with the Holy Spirit. It also means the Church will be left behind to go through the worst time the earth has ever seen [the Tribulation Period] without the help of the Holy Spirit. This would contradict the teaching of Jesus when He said, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16). And, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5).

17. Isaiah wrote that God said, “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain” (Isa. 26:19-21). Notice, that the dead rise first [that’s the Rapture], next God’s people are summoned to enter into His chambers for a short while until the indignation [a name of the Tribulation Period] is past. God will raise the dead and summon His people because He intends to punish the inhabitants of the earth [send the Tribulation Period].

18. Malachi wrote that God said, “They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not” (Malachi 3:17-18). Pre-Tribulation teachers believe God is saying He will come for His Church [the Rapture] and then He will return with His Church [the Second Coming] to judge between the righteous and wicked.

19. In the Rapture, Jesus comes for His Church (I Thess. 4:16-17; John 14:3). When He comes at the end of the Tribulation Period, He will come with His Church (I Thess. 3:13; Rev. 19:14).

20. Concerning the Second Coming, Jesus said, “But of the day and the hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matt. 24:36). But if the Church goes through the Tribulation Period, some will know the day because it will be seven years from the signing of the seven-year covenant. Some will know the day because it will be 1260 days from the day the Antichrist defiles the Temple (Rev. 12:6).

21. Concerning the Antichrist, many scholars believe the Bible teaches he won’t be revealed until after the Church is gone (II Thess. 2:6-8), but if the Church goes through the Tribulation Period, some will know who he is because he will sign the seven-year covenant (Dan. 9:24-27), he will head up the world government (Rev. 13:1-10), he will try to force multitudes to worship him, and to receive his mark, receive his name or his number (Rev. 13:15-17). Many of those who are here and being forced to worship him and take his name or die will know who he is.

22. The Antichrist is not suppose to be revealed until after the Church is gone (2 Thess. 2:6-8), but if the Church goes through the Tribulation Period, the Church will know who the Antichrist is because he will put an idol of himself in the rebuilt Temple (Ezekiel 8, Dan. 11:31; Dan. 12:11; Matt. 24:15).

23. If the Church goes through the Tribulation Period, the Church will know who the Antichrist is because he will head up the world government and receive a deadly wound to his head that will be healed (Rev. 13:3). Some think he will be raised from the dead or at least fake the resurrection.

24. If the Church goes through the Tribulation Period, the Church will know who the Antichrist is because he will head up the world government and be supported by the head of the world's religion called the False Prophet (Rev. 13:11-18).

25. If the Church goes through the Tribulation Period, the Church will know who the Antichrist is because he’s the one that will kill the Two Witnesses (Rev. 11:7).

26. Many people don’t think the Church will go through the Tribulation Period because of verses of Scripture that say things like, “The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked he will destroy” (Psa. 145:18-20). Many believe God will preserve the Church from the Tribulation Period or keep the Church out of the Tribulation Period not destroy the Church in the Tribulation Period.

27. There are verses of Scripture that say things like, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it” (Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:5-6; Rev. 22:18-19). Some believe people have to throw away verses of Scripture to believe the Church will go through the Tribulation Period.

28. In the seven letters to the seven churches, Jesus said, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” seven times (Rev. 2:7,11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). When we get to the Tribulation Period, Jesus said, “If any man have an ear, let him hear” (Rev. 13:9). He left out, “what the Spirit saith unto the churches” because there are no churches on earth to go through the Tribulation Period. The Church will be in heaven.

29. When the Rapture happens the Church goes up to meet Jesus in the air (I Thess. 4:13-18), but at the end of the Tribulation Period the Church will come down to the earth with Jesus to witness what He does at the Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 19:14-21).

30. The Pre-Tribulation Rapture is more consistent with God’s grace, love, mercy, compassion, etc. The Mid and Post-Tribulation Rapture is more consistent with God’s wrath.

31. If the Rapture takes place at the end of the Tribulation Period, and all the wicked are removed from the earth at that time (Matt. 13:24-30, 47-50; 25:41), no one will be left to re-populate the earth during the Millennium. If all of the saved are Raptured and all the lost are removed from the earth at the end of the Tribulation Period, no one will be left to re-populate the earth.

32. The Antichrist will prevail against the saints during the Tribulation Period, but the gates of hell won’t prevail against the Church (Rev. 13:7; Matt. 16:18). Therefore, the Church won’t go through the Tribulation Period.

33. The twenty-four elders [representatives of the Church] will be in heaven before the seven-sealed scroll is broken (Rev. 4:4; 6:1-17).

34. Jesus was talking about the Tribulation Period when He said, “Pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass” (Luke 21:36). He didn’t say, “Pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to endure some or all of these things that shall come to pass.”

35. There are no signs of the Rapture, but if the Rapture takes place during the Tribulation Period, it would have to be after the seven-year covenant is signed by the Antichrist, and perhaps after several other things depending upon what a person believes about Mid-Trib, Post-Trib, etc.

36. Jesus said, “When these things [the signs] begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).

He didn’t say, “After all these things have happened your redemption draweth nigh.” He said, “When these things begin to come to pass it’s close.”

Written by Stephen Hyun

2021 Habits as a Wife, Mom, Woman

Good Afternoon sisters.

How is day 2 of this new year going for you?

Other than a toddler not napping, we have rocked this Saturday as a family.

Last night we painted our dining nook, and in fact will paint 2 walls of our living room over the next two evenings. We are making strides to update our home some. We have been here 8 1/2 years, and have maintained it well. Now we are moving forward with some updates.

So this morning was patching some wall spots that we will be painting tonight and tomorrow night. Laundry is about done for today. I have plans to meet a friend for coffee next week. And we have been engaged with each other.

So now friend, I want to talk to you about you and your time. I have struggled today (and the past few years) with managing being mom and being me. Me wants to read, color, paint, sew, cross stitch, and garden.  Those are things I love to do. But motherhood doesn't always allow that. Now my husband did inform our children to give me some time and space while the toddler "naps" so I can have so "me-time." So I worked on our planner for 2021, and I did read some on gardening. This year we are putting in a raised bed, and I want to make it successful! So I enjoyed reading those few chapters.

While all those things I want to do above are good, they are not the better. I will be honest, when I am not actively engaged in a weekly Bible study, I struggle to read scripture. Now I can read a verse or two, or a small passage about scripture without problem. But to be dedicated in reading a few chapters, it can be hard for me. So I am aspiring to read through my Bible this year. When we changed churches last year, in the welcome packet we were given there is a Bible reading plan for a year. I found it yesterday when organizing our files, and I am going to follow it. I know I will have days I have to play catch up and all that, but I am not going to stop, I am going to keep on reading. 

I challenge you to do the same. Read a Psalm a day, or a Proverb. Find a reading plan, find an app. But read The Word Every. Single. Day.

We as a church will be better if we root ourselves in God's Word more routinely, and less flippantly. 

2021 - A New Day, A New Year

 

Good Morning my fellow sister's in the faith. (and brother's who browse my writings)

2021

We did it! Ha! We made it through the year 2020. I am sure many of us wondered if that would be accomplished at all. But by the grace of God we have been given a new year to accomplish more Kingdom Work. Praise be to God!

In all honesty, 2020 was rough for us. 

• personally
• professionally
• emotionally
• financially

But there were blessings. A stronger marriage, closer family unit, more cherished time together.

God saw us through. He is The Faithful One. So I will not be dismissive of 2020, but I will be thankful for being done with it. 

2021

A new day, a new year. If 2020 taught any of us anything it should be this: 

James 4:15 NASB

"Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”'

I think most of us got away from this scriptural truth. And in fact, James 4:15 will be my verse for the year. We can make our plans, we can make our goals, we can dream. But we need to remember, God is in control. And if we are to live lives submitted to Him, we must keep in mind, "If the Lord wills."

So today, this first day of a new 365 day page year, I will work on our financial goals, my personal goals, outline what I think we need to accomplish this year - but ultimately I am going to trust God to direct our steps.

The joke from many has been that a 2020 planner was a huge waste of everyone's time and money. None the less, I did buy a 2021 planner. I have put a few birthdates and anniversary's down, and I am going to think on a great year ahead. I know changes are coming, things happened in 2020 that will conclude in 2021. But I am not going to not plan just because so much is uncertain.

I will say, my family and friends were reminded this past week:

James 4:14 NASB

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away.

A dear family friend suddenly passed away, and it has been a hard event to process. But in all the tears and tragedy, I have seen something beautiful. I have seen the Church at work, I have seen the Church doing what Christ intended. Where one is able, one has done - and on many fronts. I am so thankful that I have around me, and my family, such an amazing community of believers. 2020 was hard, not one person can deny that. How each individual was impacted is different, but we all have had struggles from last year. And as we move on into 2021, let us heal, let us pray, let us serve, and let us draw closer to Jesus. A sweet friend gave me a beautiful prayer book, that I am already touched by. I want to make my walk with Jesus stronger. I want to make my walk with Him the forefront of my life. 

So, as I leave you for now, think on this. No matter how hard 2020 was, or how uncertain 2021 looks, we can hold onto this truth:

John 3:16 NASB

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life."

Christmas Eve Service - JD Farag

God Always Provides (Christmas Eve Service), Matthew 2:1-12 – December 24th, 2020

Joseph a Type of Christ and the Pre-Trib Rapture: Sermon and Resource

This is such an amazing cross reference on Joseph being a type of Christ and evidence of a Pre-Trib Rapture:

Joseph a Type of Christ and the Pre-Tribulation Rapture

And the sermon where Pastor Farag taught this: Bible Prophecy Update 12/06/20: The Great Set Up

The Role of the Woman

Have you ever studied the book of Titus? Done more than a read through of it? If not, I highly recommend this tiny but powerful book of doctrine. At our church here recently we took a 6 weeks and broke the scripture down, verse by verse, and it was very edifying for our spiritual growth. If you would like to hear my pastor teach the book of Titus you can do so here.

But before he taught the entire congregation about the instruction Paul had for Titus, those of us ladies in the Women's ministry were blessed to have him instruct us on the portion of scripture that was specifically laid out for women in the church.

Titus 2:3-5

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

I love this portion from our study: "These traits were in strong contrast with the immoral behavior of the pagan society from which many of them came and in which they still lived." Additionally, the scriptures above are for ALL Christian women: married, single, widowed, older or younger.

I have wanted to share this portion of scripture for some time, and in fact have found myself drawn back to these verses many times since we did this study of scripture back in early September. The day and age we find ourselves in is very confusing, depressing, and highly immoral. Very much like the church in Crete that Titus was pastor over. 

So let's break down the four characteristics for a godly woman as listed in verse 3:

• Reverent in behavior

rev·er·ent /ˈrev(ə)rənt/

adjective
feeling or showing deep and solemn respect.
Similar: respectful, reverential,  worshipping,  worshipful,  adoring,  loving,  admiring,  devoted,  devout,  dutiful,  awed,  deferential, submissive, humble, meek 

Two verses to cross reference: Romans 12:1-2 & 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

• Not slanderers (malicious gossips)

slan·der /ˈslandər/

noun LAW

the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.

Similar: defamation, defamation of character, character assassination

verb

make false and damaging statements about (someone).

Similar: defame

James 3: 5-6 is about the tongue, and verse 6 tells us the ultimate source of the fires kindled by the tongue:

5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. (New American Standard Bible 1995)

Do not dismiss your words or tone ladies. Our tongues can be used as a tool of Satan which is why Paul felt the need to address this serious issue.

• Not given to much wine

 The original language suggests addiction, with some Bible versions referring to slaves to drink.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 states:

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. - New American Standard Bible 1995

The gist of words are if you as a believer can abstain from something and it helps another believer, then do it! 

Romans 14: 15-21 gives a loving response if drinking alcohol offends another believer:

15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. - New American Standard Bible 1995

I summed it up in study as such - "If it offends you, when I am with you, it will offend me."

Additionally, the Bible does say drunkenness is a sin and gives warnings.

• Romans 13:13
• Galatians 5:19-21
• 1 Peter 4:3
• Ephesians 5:18

Sisters, we are not to be "slaves" to excess. Paul focused on self-control and moderation to characterize women of every age in the church. Consider for yourself what words/activities you could insert instead of "wine."

• Teachers of good things

Paul instructed Titus to encourage the older women to be mentors and good examples of all the traits previously mentioned. In every church there are some older and some younger. I know I have personally been blessed by many older women who have instructed, guided, and directed me over the years.

The very first lesson the older women were to teach the younger women was to "love their husbands."

This type of love is "phileo" which calls for women to be affectionate towards their husbands, and it denotes friendship. The following verses show how a woman can express this type of love:

• Ephesians 5:22
• 1 Peter 3:4
• Philippians 2:3-4
• Mark 10:45

And after loving their husbands, they are called to love their children. Now, whether you are single, married, or widowed, more than likely you have children in your life. Nieces, students, friends kids. Think on ways you can show love to these children. I am thankful for the book "A Mom After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George. It is giving my practical ways to love on my kids as God intended.

Also to be taught to the younger women are attitudes and skills. Titus 2:5, " to be sensible, pure, workers at home." 

Discreet (sensible) - attentive, prudent, tactful, considerate

Chaste (pure) - celibate, virginal, unblemished

Workers at home. This always seems to throw a kink in people. Ideally, the woman should be at home, with her children, tending to them and the home. Making the house a home. Modern times have forced many, if not most women into the workforce. God understands, and is sympathetic to that. But if at all possible, especially when the children are young (before school age), a mom at home is the best foundation for a child.

This is still my desire. To one day be a stay-at-home-wife/mom. Possibly even homeschool my children. The world is full of sin, wickedness, and darkness. I want to shelter my kids from that. To train them up to be light bearers for Jesus. I love doing the home stuff - cooking, cleaning, decorating, living in my home. And I believe that desire is from God.

The last part of verse 5 is this, "kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored."

Kind is synonymous with Good. And that good comes from the Greek agathos - good nature, useful, upright, joyful happy, honorable.

And the source of goodness is found in Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB1995):

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

"Being subject to their own husbands" is also a way of saying being obedient. Its not being a meek mouse, but instead deferring to the husband, he is the head of the family as God intended. See Ephesians 5:22-25 and Colossians 3:18.

This does not only apply to married women, but to single women and widows. If we have no husband, we have a father, we have a boss, we have the LORD. (See Ephesians 5:19-20 and Philippians 2:5-11).

Now, "so that the word of God will not be dishonored." Some translations put blasphemed in place of dishonored. We as women are representatives of God, we can cause harm to the kingdom of God if we do not follow His commands. If we say we believe, then we have placed ourselves under the authority of God and we will be different in how live, love, have families, all of it.

Dear sisters, I hope you have been encouraged, as I was, by this break down from the Book of Titus. It really is a powerhouse of a book of scripture.

Advent 2020

It's December!

The holiday season is my most favorite season of the year. Christmas is my favorite holiday. I have two nativity sets that I love putting out on display. We did downsize this year, and instead of my standard tree and my super tall tree (both full of decorations), we opted juts for my standard tree. And with 3 kids and a new dog - what I have up is more than enough.

With December starting 2 things are forefront on my mind.

1. My daughter's 8th birthday (very soon)
2. Advent

I did not grow up doing Advent. But I do recall when I moved to the Houston area in 2008, I started doing it then. And now being mom to three children, I strive to be disciplined every year so my children will understand the true meaning of Christmas.

ad·vent

/ˈadˌvent/

noun

the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.

• the first season of the Christian church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays.
• CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY - the coming or second coming of Christ. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Starting December 1st, I read a chapter of the Book of Luke to my children, so Christmas Eve night we finish and hopefully some of God's wisdom has been imparted on my munchkins. To make it an easier time, I have found some great Advent chocolate calendars, and each kid (minus the toddler who would destroy the entire thing) gets to get their piece of chocolate out to enjoy while I read. I strongly encourage this tradition to anyone with young children.

Adding to my Advent routine this year, I am reading a new book (published October 2020). My brother-in-love actually wrote it, and I am so excited to be reading it this Christmastime. Here is about the book:

Beneath Bethlehem Skies: 26 Advent Meditations Upon the Miracle and Meaning of Jesus's Birth (link)

Advent is a season of remembrance and celebration of Jesus coming to earth. But as Christmas comes, we often find it challenging to be mindful of its miracle and meaning. In this daily devotional, Brandon Anthony Shuman offers twenty-six meditations that will prepare your heart for Advent. Comprised of scriptural interludes, contemplations from saints, past and present, and fifteen original compositions seasoned over the course of twelve Decembers, Beneath Bethlehem Skies: 26 Advent Meditations Upon the Miracle and Meaning of Jesus's Birth is a modern liturgy that awakens the soul to wonderful reality of Christmas. Lyrical and liturgical; simple, yet profound; rooted in scripture and rich in thought, these devotions linger, like Advent itself. Each meditation uniquely explores a paradoxical theme of Advent (exile, silence, justice, love, etc.) while exalting biblical truth with beautiful language. They wait in the aching tension of "already, but not yet" hope of redemption in a broken world. They recall what God has done. They anticipate the fulfillment of His promises. And they provoke our hearts to celebrate what Jesus is doing. The devotions of Beneath Bethlehem Skies are introduced by inspiring words from great saints - both ancient and modern - of the Christian faith. Their wisdom foreshadows the themes, lamentations, and joys to follow. Each meditation is complimented by the texts of classic Hymns of the Christmas season, allowing the reader to appreciate the rich and beautiful poetry expressed in their familiar refrains. Beneath Bethlehem Skies is more than a series quick words and pretty pictures wrapped with Bible verses. It is an invitation to be renewed by the miracle of Christmas and receive the gift of Jesus. Rediscover the wonder of Advent this season, Beneath Bethlehem Skies.

I hope that as this Christmas Season starts that you are readying your heart for Jesus. As His first Advent has come and gone, we as believers can eagerly await His second coming, The 2nd Advent.