Lord

November 15: Tuesday Refocus

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“Without You, what am I to myself but a guide to my own destruction?” - Augustine

I hacked a trail I thought was right, but it only led to death (Proverbs 14:12).

My heart had planned my way, but it was the LORD who established my steps (Proverbs 16:9).

I thought my foot was slipping, but the steadfast love of the LORD held me up (Psalm 94:18).

I had to learn that it is God who makes my path straight (Proverbs 3:6).

It was God’s word that was a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).

I wanted to go my own way, but I saw again and again, “All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.” Psalm 25:10

Lord, our lives, our days, and our paths are marked out by You. In Christ’s name, amen.

Walking,

AB

September 13: Tuesday Refocus

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“The things we love tell us what we are.” - Thomas Aquinas

Love reveals us. 

Where we spend our time reveals what we value.

Where we spend our money reveals what we desire.

In every pursuit, the desire to be loved.

For the follower of Jesus, we know that love comes not from striving, but by seeing “…what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are…” 1 John 3:1

If every pursuit reveals a desire to be loved, then resting in the lavished love of God reveals our true identity: children of God; and so we are.

Father, may Your love reveal us. May we love You more than life itself. Amen.

Loved,

AB

1 December: O Adonai (O Lord)

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O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,

et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush

and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

'For the Lord is our judge; 

       the Lord is our lawgiver; 

the Lord is our king; 

He will save us.’   Isaiah 33:22

What a beautiful reality: the One who is our judge and lawgiver, is also the One who is our Lord, King, and Savior.  We are not left with the weight of the law, and righteous judgement.  We have a Lord, King, and Savior who enters into our world to fulfill the law and absorb the judgment of God on our behalf.  

With an outstretched arm, He rescued His people from Egypt.

With an outstretched arm, He reached for His young mother.

With an outstretched arm, He brought about redemption on a cross.

Prayer:

Lord, because You are outstretched, we too can be people outstretched to neighbor and enemy alike.  ‘You are good and do good; teach me Your statutes.’ Psalm 119:68 Amen.

To download a complete PDF of the O Antiphon Advent Devotional, click here.