Many see Advent as a time to wait for the Christmas celebrations. The parties, the drinking, the food, the presents. This is the world's view of Advent, which is opposite of what God wants you to do. Advent is not a waiting, but a coming. Jesus is coming back. He said in Rev. 22:12, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done."

Next week starts Advent. Call God in prayer. Listen to Him speak.

My father, Walter, told me a story that gave him great peace as he neared the end of 96 years on earth. It involved his father, Stanley, who was diagnosed with coronary artery disease in 1956.

Small acts of love and kindness can mean so much. They can brighten another's life in ways you may not know. And most importantly, they make God happy.

God has a personal investment in His humans whom He created.

When life dumps on you, go confidently to Jesus for help. He will stand by your side with His shovel. I have a plaque that reads, "Jesus, there is nothing that happens today you and I can't handle."

Jesus challenges you to dump your false gods. What are the idols that become more important than God? Is there anything that takes the place of God in your life?

I was privileged to witness medical history being made at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. The transplant doctors performed the first-ever partial liver transplant from a mother to her baby. 

If I had to cut off body parts that causes me to sin, there would be nothing left of me. However, keep the knife in the drawer because Jesus is speaking symbolically. 

Life is a journey from selfishness to selflessness. God says in Philippians 2:3, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves." This is how you prepare for eternal life in God's Kingdom.

Jesus taught that if you truly want to follow Him, you must walk the road that leads to him. That road is called "sacrifice." Sacrifice means, "to give up something that is valuable to you in order to help another person." 

May you have the unconditional compassion of Jesus. Relieve suffering wherever you find it.

Integrity is a virtue that simply means "to do the right thing even when no one is looking." A wise person once said, "Do good things whether others notice or not. It’s the deeds that matter, not the size of your audience.”

God's purpose for you is to live your life in Heaven. Give honor to God now by believing in His Son who will hand over to you eternal life. Then Jesus will hand over to you His Spirit of peace.

So why is Holy Communion important? Because God wants you to be with Him in Heaven. Jesus gave you this great gift of His body and blood as soul food to strengthen you through the storms in life.