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2020 Advent Devotional

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Great Expectations

Read Mark 13:24-37
Devotional by Beth Silvers

What have you waited on? Preparing for the birth of your child, planning a wedding, training for a new career? How much time do you or have you spent in preparing for Christ’s return?

The text for the first Sunday in Advent is from Mark 13:24-37 and it shares with us the lesson from Christ to be ready, to be prepared, and not to be misled by false teachers and lying messiahs. The same lesson is given in Matthew 24:26-47 and Luke 21:25-36.  Christ teaches us to not try and calculate the day or predict the time but to always be ready for his coming. He warns of the sun not shining and the stars falling from the sky. After that the angels will gather the elect or the chosen from the four corners of the world. Then He will come from the clouds in a way no one will be able to miss. In the meantime, we are to study the Word (both the Scripture and the Son of Man), stand firm in our faith by telling others about Jesus and live by the Christian principals of loving one another. Also, in this text Christ reminds us that his word is the only stability in our unstable world. He teaches that the world will pass away, but his word will remain forever.

We must trust that he is in control and always has been and always will be.
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Also review Isaiah 34:4, Revelation 1:7, Zechariah 2:6, Matthew 5:18, Acts 1:7 and I Thessalonians 5:6.

Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, Praise your holy name for the gift of your Word that will never change. Thank you for sending us your son who saved us and teaches how to prepare for his return. Keep us hopeful and trusting as we prepare for Christmas and your return. Come soon, O Triune God, come soon. AMEN.



Read Daily Devotionals by clicking on the links below.
November 29, 2020: Great Expectations by Beth Silver
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Download a PDF copy of The Audacity of Advent
​by clicking here.

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First Presbyterian Church

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​1621 E. Garrison Blvd.
​Gastonia, N.C. 28054
Phone
(704) 864-2651
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Affiliated with: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Presbytery of Western North Carolina
Copyright © 2020 First Presbyterian Church, Gastonia, N.C.
  • Home
  • About
    • Visitors
    • What We Believe
    • Our Staff
    • Pastoral Search
  • Worship
    • Services
    • Livestream
    • Music
  • Faith Formation
    • Adults
    • Presbyterian Women
    • Youth
    • Children
  • Outreach
    • Local Missions
    • Global Missions
    • Pastoral Care
    • Parish Nurse Ministry
  • Giving
    • Giving
    • Planned Giving
    • Stewardship
  • Connect
    • Calendar
    • Videos
    • Weekly Announcements
    • Resources
  • More
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Presbyterian Weekday School
    • Mother's Morning Out