Devotional Introduction: November-December 2015

November 1, 2015

As we enter the end of the calendar year, we also enter Advent, a season in which we wait upon the Lord. So much of our culture focuses on ostentatious excess in the holiday season, on buying things we don’t need and can’t afford with loud celebration, as if we can party our way to feeling good about ourselves. Instead, Advent brings a welcome time of waiting and longing for our Savior. It reminds us that we cannot save ourselves, but God has already sent his Christ in Jesus of Nazareth. As a watchman waits in the night for dawn, so we anticipate remembering Jesus’ birth as well as his coming again. Come Lord Jesus!

In December, Pastor Norman Visser explores with us waiting in Advent. We’ll look to biblical examples of what it means to wait upon and long for the Kingdom of God to come fully.

But first, in November, Pastor Henry Kranenburg walks us through the first half of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Roman church, showing us how to live in Rome not as the Romans do, but as people who wait on the Lord!

May you be refreshed, refocused, and renewed in God’s word!

About the author — Steven Koster

Rev. Dr. Steven Koster joined Back to God Ministries International in 2006 and soon launched ReFrame Media with a fresh vision for media and technology to build disciples and communities in Christ. During his time as Director of ReFrame, he also served as the Executive Editor of Today. Steven stepped down from these roles in 2019 as he felt led to focus on new challenges, including doctoral research and their family’s bed and breakfast in Grand Rapids. He and his wife Deb have three adult children and enjoy leading pre-marital counseling and marriage enrichment seminars. Steven continues to collaborate with Deb to produce our marriage and family ministry, Family Fire.