Brian and Mark share Julie Smith's Advent devotions for Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ. Julie, our Service Coordinator, has written these devotions for Monday through Saturday, December 1–24. We hope you will join us each day, beginning Monday, December 1, 2025, for a little Bible and fun while we look forward to our Savior coming into our world. en-us https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/summaries.html https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/the-revelation-of-salvation/a3298.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss what kind of peace Simeon saw in the temple as he held the baby Jesus in his arms.  Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {17B49C5E-FD27-9C6F-CDA9-CBCF2A469EC0} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/gods-peace/a3297.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss God's peace.  Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {EA70069D-8810-E693-C65B-A0C4924DDDA5} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/gods-mercy-for-all/a3293.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss God's mercy for all people—even the ones we do not think deserve it. Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {CBA4085E-3DED-523A-C355-1F67EC24A763} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/gospel-obstacles/a3292.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss how we may have created obstacles for people not like us to hear the gospel.  Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {E199F512-D1D8-A54D-C0BA-F1E9A883A732} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/gods-ways-and-our-ways/a3291.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss how God's ways and our ways are so different that his ways are incomprehensible to us, so he sends his Word to us to accomplish his ways in our lives.  Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {533A2356-A359-0748-89D2-33D969B44E21} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/the-lighthouse/a3290.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss how God has made Israel a lighthouse, a warning to the nations, and how his covenant with Israel for the nations is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {FF8678E6-679B-25EE-7B34-09A7BD4E0382} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/waiting-patiently/a3289.html?app=1 In today's video, Wyclif and I discuss how Advent (and life) is a time for waiting patiently for our God. Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {F0B69470-3B4F-7560-6274-A0977A938FC6} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/gods-mercy-for-my-enemies/a3288.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss how the mercy of God is extended to nations other than Israel—even to her enemies. Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {59AFDB19-1918-6BA5-C409-58493DA9BF94} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/light-shines-in-the-darkness/a3287.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss how the light of Christ Jesus cannot be contained and will at last, enlighten our lives, filling every dark corner of our lives, banishing the darkness of sin forever. Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {454ED40A-2FB5-9327-8C4D-438F2AB6E9A0} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/god-will-do-it/a3286.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss how God will make peace among the nations—and among us. Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {F8D6BDB3-43CC-2DDE-9ABA-4673BEA6516A} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/a-faithful-creator/a3285.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss how God is faithful even when we are faithless. Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {1A34026C-4DCD-E4F8-8689-005D86EB3085} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/faithful-love/a3284.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss that God has chosen to reveal himself through love and faithfulness.  Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {A4A9FC4A-401C-3202-2FA6-5D3E158A895B} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/the-lord-reigns/a3283.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss God's' constant kingdom and the shifting political powers of our nation and the world. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {1BCDEB0B-B4CF-4F07-EC94-7F71773DF5E6} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/credit-where-credit-is-due/a3282.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss our own craving for glory, and how this can be overcome by recognizing God's marvelous works and giving him the glory.  Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {5AE31C91-BEA6-5F0A-9C1F-CFC4D2B6AFEB} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/an-undivided-heart/a3281.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss those things that seek to overtake God's chief place in our lives, and how eventually, God will unite all peoples with an undivided heart that fears, loves, and trusts in him above all things.  Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {4112136D-B525-46F0-D3EF-A80EF7DC2E0D} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/god-in-his-own-image/a3280.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss God's mercy for all the peoples of the earth.  Sat, 06 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {CF7263F3-3104-D7B9-7CB3-4B52BDB3A3AA} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/with-us/a3279.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss our impatience with God and how he is with us in the midst of our troubles.  Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {B06C4BB3-9465-1FD1-C6B8-DB62402C2359} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/my-plans-or-his-plans/a3278.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss frustrated plans and that sometimes it is God who is frustrating them. Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {D773DE1F-4581-B444-6AEF-37C6D89591FC} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/whose-side/a3277.html?app=1 In today's video, we discuss oppression in the world and how it often enough comes from people and places we'd least expect. Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {55906F30-6AAF-AD47-ECC5-8F635CBE56E2} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/the-lord-will-provide/a3276.html?app=1 In today's reading, God puts Abraham to the test. In the midst of a most difficult trial, God provides for Abraham — and for us all. Watch the video where we discuss God's tests and promises in our lives.  Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {E12BDB13-0AAA-0CE5-7DB5-F7C60F02F6FD} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/trusting-god/a3275.html?app=1 What is surprising about God's call on Abram/Abraham? Or for that matter, what's surprising about his calling you to your vocation? Watch the video as we seek to answer these questions and more.  Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {C905208A-C891-8A54-213A-1C0764197B12} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/2025-lcmc-advent-devotions/a3274.html?app=1 The pastors of St. Paul's Lutheran Church share Pastor Julie Smith's Advent devotions for Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). Julie, the LCMC Service Coordinator, has written these devotions for Monday through Saturday, December ... Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {ED216F4B-46BF-05AA-AD3B-52BC436E9977} https://www.stpaulslutheran.churchministrysites.com/2025Advent/good-news-of-great-joy/a3273.html?app=1 The pastors of St. Paul's Lutheran Church share Pastor Julie Smith's Advent devotions for Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). Julie, the LCMC Service Coordinator, has written these devotions for Monday through Saturday, December ... Sat, 29 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0800 {180DFD50-C5E0-A4D5-1220-B6BD7C194368}