Third Sunday of Advent - Joy (Special Music)

Yes! Joy to the World!

Third Sunday of Advent - Joy (Prelude)

The Third Sunday of Advent is dedicated to joy. The joy felt be all who received the spirit and accepted Christ Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord. The joy felt by all those who have waited this wonderful gift. The joy of the promise fulfilled.

Answers Inside - Proverbs

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

    do not depend on your own understanding.

6 Seek his will in all you do,

    and he will show you which path to take.

Third Sunday of Advent - Joy (Gospel Reading)

The Gospel reading for the Third Sunday of Advent comes from John 1.

John 1:10-13 New Living Translation (NLT)

10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

Be Courageous and Strong

Sometimes we face tragedies that are unimaginable and we must stand firm in our faith and be courageous and strong. As we reflect on the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, let us remember those how were courageous and strong during those dark days and how they were able to stand firm in their faith.

Third Sunday of Advent - Joy (New Testament Reading)

The New Testament reading for the Third Sunday of Advent comes from 1 Peter.

1 Peter 1:8-9 New Living Translation (NLT)

8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

Daily Message - God Actively Listens to Us

There are times in all of our lives when we feel that God is not listening to us. Think again.

Third Sunday of Advent - Joy (Psalm Reading)

The Psalm reading for the Third Sunday of Advent comes from Psalm 148.

Psalm 148:13-14 New Living Translation (NLT)

13 Let them all praise the name of the Lord.

    For his name is very great;

    his glory towers over the earth and heaven!

14 He has made his people strong,

    honoring his faithful ones—

    the people of Israel who are close to him.

Praise the Lord!

Daily Message - Troubles and Trials

In today's Daily Message, Sr. Chaplain Jesse Johns discusses why we go through troubles and trials and how we can have great joy in going through them.

Third Sunday of Advent - Joy (Old Testament Reading)

The Old Testament reading for the Third Sunday of Advent comes from the Book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 12:3-6 New Living Translation (NLT)

3 With joy you will drink deeply

    from the fountain of salvation!

4 In that wonderful day you will sing:

    “Thank the Lord! Praise his name!

Tell the nations what he has done.

    Let them know how mighty he is!

5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things.

    Make known his praise around the world.

6 Let all the people of Jerusalem shout his praise with joy!

    For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.

Daily Message - How to Overcome the FUD Factor

In this Daily Message, Sr. Chaplain Jesse Johns discusses how we can overcome the fear, uncertainty and doubt in our lives.

This ministry is support by the generous donations of our listeners and family of faith.

Daily Message - Taking the "Mass" out of Christmas

Sr. Chaplain Jesse Johns discusses the true virtues of Christmas. It is a time of giving and blessing those around you.

Second Day of Advent - Peace (Closing Prayer)

Dearest most gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for gift of Your son, Christ Jesus. In accordance with Your divine plan, you prepared the way for his birth and, through that glorious plan, you gave us the gift of salvation. 

The preparation that took place so long ago still occurs today in our hearts. We prepare him room in our hearts and welcome him. As we continue to prepare, we receive yet another gift, a gift of peace. Knowing what You have done for us and continue to do for us brings us a wonderful peace.

Thank you, O Lord, for all of the gifts.

Amen.

Second Sunday of Advent - Peace (Message)

Sr. Chaplain Jesse Johns' message discusses how preparation brings peace.

Second Sunday of Advent - Peace (Special Music)

As we have prepared his way into our world of darkness, let us rejoice in the coming of the Peace of Peace.

Second Sunday of Advent - Peace (Prelude)

Today begins the Second Sunday of Advent. The Second Sunday is dedicated to peace. Not just peace for the world, but a peace that we need so desperately in our lives. We need a peace that surpasses all understanding. For those who are lost and alone, we pray for that peace in knowing someone cares.

Peace for a restless world should be our prayer.

Second Sunday of Advent - Gospel Reading

The Gospel reading for the Second Sunday of Advent comes from John 2:1-11.

John 2:1-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

2 The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.

9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”

11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

Daily Message - Overlooking Wrongs

It is so very easy to be critical of others. When we are angry, we look for even the smallest little items to lash out at others. When you think about it, it is harder to mentor another and help them to be better. We would prefer to take the easier way and just be mean to others while we think we are being helpful.

Think about the time someone did that to you. How did you feel? You felt that you could not do anything right. When people correct us, it should be done in love and not spite. The goal is to help people by helping them improve.

The next time you find yourself about to explode and let someone have it, stop and think about how you felt when someone did that to you.

In Proverbs 19:11, we are told, "Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs." By overlooking the wrongs and helping others to become better, it is easy to destroy a person by using harsh words.

We need to be patient with one another and understanding. Paul in Colossians 3:13 wrote this.

Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3:13 NLT)

Remember, we are not perfect. Forgive just as you were forgiven.

Second Sunday of Advent - Peace (New Testament Reading)

The New Testament reading for the Second Sunday of Advent comes from Paul's letter to the church in Corinth.

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

12 Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. 2 You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. 3 So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.

4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

Daily Message - Why Am I So Discouraged?

When you think about it, we all become victims at one time or another in our lives. We ask the same questions. Why me? Why do things always happen to me? Why am I so discouraged?

All of these questions seem to come up sometime in our lives. I can tell you from my own experiences that I have asked those very same questions. You should feel a little comfort knowing that others that should have no reason to ask those questions ask those questions.

Look at Psalm 42:5-6

Why am I discouraged?

Why is my heart so sad?

I will put my hope in God!

I will praise him again—

my Savior and 6my God!

Now I am deeply discouraged,

but I will remember you—

even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,

from the land of Mount Mizar.

Even David had his moments where all seemed lost and he felt deeply discouraged. I think we have all been there from time to time. As the old expression goes, "Been there. Done that."

We should not be concentrating our how discouraged we are and remember the words that start this beautiful Psalm.

As the deer longs for streams of water,

so I long for you, O God.

Think about and remember Him who upholds you with His righteous right hand.