It's First Advent Sunday!

We are the people with hope!

Romans 15:12-13 New English Translation (NET Bible)

12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, and the one who rises to rule over the Gentiles, in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“The Advent season is a season of waiting, but our whole life is an Advent season, that is, a season of waiting for the last Advent, for the time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth.” 

― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is In the Manger

Where My Feet May Fail

Psalm 136:6

English Standard Version (ESV)

6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'Ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.” 

― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" is such a brave song.  Sing take me deeper, make me stronger, and God just might do so.  My fearful self than asks what will that take, what will it mean?  Ocean front property is purchased at a high price, and I'm far more comfortable dog paddling in a public pool than plunging into an ocean.  Fearful Christians will never walk on water.  I pray for courage to know the depths of God's great grace and the daring to walk where my feet may fail.  

Oceans Where Feet May Fail - Hillsong UNITED