Advent Devotions
Advent Devotions
The Board of Christian Education Adult Sub-Group wishes to thank all contributors of devotional writings. Your personal stories and touch give this series greater meaning. Special thanks to Dr. Tom Graves for his selection of scripture passages for each day and gracious willingness to edit. Wishing you a blessed Advent and Christmastide.
How to access the devotions:
Online
Devotions will be posted below daily at 5:00 a.m. You can access this page at rrcb.org/devotions.
Email:
If you would like to receive the devotions via email, click here to sign up. Devotions will be delivered to your inbox daily at 5:00 a.m. Please note: if you receive the e-Spire every Tuesday, you will receive daily devotions November 28-December 4, 2021. However, beginning December 5, 2021, you will only receive devotions via email if you have signed up at the link above.
Print:
A limited number of printed devotions will be in the Narthex on Sunday, November 28, 2021. If you would like a copy, please contact the church office.
PDF:
Click here to open a PDF of the devotions to download or print.
Faith and God’s Love
Today's Scripture: Romans 4:1-12 4Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. 5But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. There are many ways to achieve success in life....
We are a Remembered People – Rejoice!
Today's Scripture: Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45 4 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. 5 Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the judgements he has uttered, 6 O offspring of his servant Abraham, children of Jacob, his...
Children of the Light
Today's Scripture: John 12:36-43 36 "Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. (NIV) Today's passage from John is the last time that Jesus appears in...
Hoping Against Hope
Today's Scripture: Genesis 17:3-7, 15-16 6I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 7I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an...
The Road Less Traveled
Today's Scripture: Mark 8:31-38 31Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32He said all this quite openly. And...
“Who do people say that I am?”
Today's Scripture: Mark 8:27-29 29He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ While walking with his disciples, Jesus turned to them and asked, "Who do people say that I am?" Their answers were wrong. Only Peter got it...
Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak
Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak - William Ringham Recording by River Road Chancel Bell Choir Charles Todd, Director Robert Gallagher, Minister of Music Recorded on Sunday, February 22, 2015
Don’t Quit Before the Miracle Happens
Today's Scripture: Psalm 22:23-31 30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord, 31 and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it. (NRSV) This is a psalm of deliverance; indeed, the psalm is titled:...
Free, Indeed
Today's Scripture: Psalm 77:1-20 14 You are the God who works wonders; you have displayed your might among the peoples. 15 With your strong arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah “Now, my debt is paid. It is paid in...
Speaking to Suffering
Today's Scripture: Job 5:8-27 8 ‘As for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause. 9 He does great things and unsearchable, marvellous things without number. (NRSV) Does virtue depend on the promise of reward or the threat of punishment? How does...
Love & Marriage, Horse & Carriage, Faith & Works
Today's Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10 10 Instead, we are God's accomplishment, created in Christ Jesus to do good things. God planned for these good things to be the way that we live our lives. (CEB) The scripture passage for today contains one of the most quoted and...
Holes in our Souls
Today's Scripture: Psalm 25:1-10 4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. (NRSV) It is hard for me to get the Lady Antebellum song "Down South" out of my head. I like the interesting sound and beat, but it is the song's lyrics that are most...
Gossipy Whispering
Today's Scripture: Matthew 9:2-13 4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why this gossipy whispering?" (The Message) Aside: I find it rather ironic that I'm writing about this passage which is entitled "Who Needs a Doctor" in the Message translation. (I had...
Preach the Gospel Always and If Necessary Use Words
Today's Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 1b I give you this charge: 2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (NIV) During my time in Harrisonburg, VA while attending JMU, I took on...
Discovering God’s Light
Ten-weeks-old Camden was totally focused on ceiling lights, especially the brilliant display in the entrance hall. As I toured him through the house recently, I began to reflect on the importance of light in my life. Even as a city kid, at a young age I loved to...
The Call of Lent
Today's Scripture: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 12Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger,...
Preparing for Easter: Lenten Devotions Begin
On Monday, folks in Richmond, VA (and all up and down the eastern half of the country) were preparing for a significant winter event. Grocery stores were packed, parents were making plans for schools to be closed, and schedules were being rearranged to accommodate...
Lenten Devotions and Creative Expressions
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Bonus Children’s Art
We are grateful for all of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders who illustrated scripture verses for our Advent Devotional series this year. We also thank our teachers, Sharon Seward, Diane Shoemake, and Wendy Graves, for shepherding this project through. Several children...
Christmas Day
Today's Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (KJV) Despite the late hour, sleep comes slowly to me following the midnight dismissal of our Christmas Eve service. The crowds of worshippers,...
Christmas Eve
Today's Scripture: John 1:14 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (NRSV) In his Prologue, John paints a majestic picture of the Word and God. Some scholars believe...
Remembering a Dream
Today's Scripture: Matthew 1:18-22 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." (NRSV)...
Learn a New Song
Today's Scripture: Psalm 96:1-13 1 O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. (NRSV) Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Piano, singing,...
Love
Today's Scripture: Luke 1:46-56 46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One...
Say “Yes!”
Today's Scripture: Luke 1:26-28 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you...
Welcome A Guest
Todays' Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-2 Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (NRSV) One of the ancient and widely-practiced customs was hospitality. Early in the Hebrew...
Listen For Music
Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:5-7 After that, you will go to Gibeah of God. Some Philistine soldiers are stationed there. As you approach the town, you will meet a group of prophets. They’ll be coming down from the high place where they worship. People will be...
Forgive Someone
Today's Scripture: Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you....