Advent Devotional

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About Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is committed to the formation of women and men for theologically reflective ministry and to scholarship in service to the global Church of Jesus Christ.

Become a Student

Certificate Programs

Special Programs

Faculty

In addition to their on-campus duties, our faculty are experts in their fields and are available to preach and teach. Learn more about their topics of research and writing and invite them to present at your congregation or gathering.

Events

The Seminary hosts a wide range of events—many of them free!—on topics of faith including church planting, mission, vocation, spiritual formation, pastoral care and counseling, archaeology, and many more. Visit our calendar often for a listing of upcoming events.

Visit PTS

Interested in the Seminary? Come visit us!

Stay in Touch with PTS

Sign-up to receive the Seminary's newsletters: Seminary News (monthly), Church Planting Initiative (monthly), Continuing Education (monthly), World Mission Initiative (monthly), Metro-Urban Institute (quarterly), and Kelso Museum. Alums, there's also one for you!

Advent Devotional December 2, 2018

Scripture

Psalm 25

1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
        do not let me be put to shame;
        do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
        let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
        teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
        for you are the God of my salvation;
        for you I wait all day long.

6 Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love,
        for they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
        according to your steadfast love remember me,
        for your goodness’ sake, O LORD!

8 Good and upright is the LORD;
        therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
        and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
        for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

11 For your name’s sake, O LORD,
        pardon my guilt, for it is great.

12 Who are they that fear the LORD?
        He will teach them the way that they should choose.

13 They will abide in prosperity,
        and their children shall possess the land.
14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,
        and he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,
        for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
        for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart,
        and bring me out of my distress.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
        and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider how many are my foes,
        and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 O guard my life, and deliver me;
        do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
        for I wait for you.

22 Redeem Israel, O God,
        out of all its troubles.

Devotional

The Rev. Kimberly Gonxhe ’07, Director, Metro-Urban Institute

Put one foot in front of the other. Follow God’s voice. Trust God’s voice. Although fear may creep up as self-doubt, naysayers and circumstances show themselves, remember the last thing God told you, and do that.

This life is full of doubters, dream stealers, people who mean you harm, but God is immensely greater than the culmination of them all. No matter where you are and whatever the circumstance, the Lord is there with you. You can soar in a prison cell. You can have peace while possessing no possessions. You can thrive in spite of tremendous opposition.

As we surrender our lives to Christ, Christ leads us out of dire places which seem to have no exit door. As we yield and let go, rough places become smooth and crooked places are made straight. As we obey God’s instruction, people who mean us harm will be silenced and dealt with. As we do those things which are possible, God then does the impossible. So wait on the Lord. The excellency is of God and not of you. You’ll make it to the other side successfully; just keep your hand in God’s hand and put one foot in front of the other.

Prayer

Lord, I know there are people who mean me no good and situations that seem so insurmountable, but I put my trust in you. Help me to walk in righteousness and not succumb to the temptations of doubt or fear. I put my hope in you and rest knowing that you always take good care of me and will continue to do so. Amen.

Advent Devotional December 2, 2018

Scripture

Psalm 25

1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
        do not let me be put to shame;
        do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
        let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
        teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
        for you are the God of my salvation;
        for you I wait all day long.

6 Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love,
        for they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
        according to your steadfast love remember me,
        for your goodness’ sake, O LORD!

8 Good and upright is the LORD;
        therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
        and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
        for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

11 For your name’s sake, O LORD,
        pardon my guilt, for it is great.

12 Who are they that fear the LORD?
        He will teach them the way that they should choose.

13 They will abide in prosperity,
        and their children shall possess the land.
14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,
        and he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,
        for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
        for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart,
        and bring me out of my distress.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
        and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider how many are my foes,
        and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 O guard my life, and deliver me;
        do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
        for I wait for you.

22 Redeem Israel, O God,
        out of all its troubles.

Devotional

The Rev. Kimberly Gonxhe ’07, Director, Metro-Urban Institute

Put one foot in front of the other. Follow God’s voice. Trust God’s voice. Although fear may creep up as self-doubt, naysayers and circumstances show themselves, remember the last thing God told you, and do that.

This life is full of doubters, dream stealers, people who mean you harm, but God is immensely greater than the culmination of them all. No matter where you are and whatever the circumstance, the Lord is there with you. You can soar in a prison cell. You can have peace while possessing no possessions. You can thrive in spite of tremendous opposition.

As we surrender our lives to Christ, Christ leads us out of dire places which seem to have no exit door. As we yield and let go, rough places become smooth and crooked places are made straight. As we obey God’s instruction, people who mean us harm will be silenced and dealt with. As we do those things which are possible, God then does the impossible. So wait on the Lord. The excellency is of God and not of you. You’ll make it to the other side successfully; just keep your hand in God’s hand and put one foot in front of the other.

Prayer

Lord, I know there are people who mean me no good and situations that seem so insurmountable, but I put my trust in you. Help me to walk in righteousness and not succumb to the temptations of doubt or fear. I put my hope in you and rest knowing that you always take good care of me and will continue to do so. Amen.

About Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is committed to the formation of women and men for theologically reflective ministry and to scholarship in service to the global Church of Jesus Christ.

Become a Student

Certificate Programs

Special Programs

Faculty

In addition to their on-campus duties, our faculty are experts in their fields and are available to preach and teach. Learn more about their topics of research and writing and invite them to present at your congregation or gathering.

Events

The Seminary hosts a wide range of events—many of them free!—on topics of faith including church planting, mission, vocation, spiritual formation, pastoral care and counseling, archaeology, and many more. Visit our calendar often for a listing of upcoming events.

Visit PTS

Interested in the Seminary? Come visit us!

Stay in Touch with PTS

Sign-up to receive the Seminary's newsletters: Seminary News (monthly), Church Planting Initiative (monthly), Continuing Education (monthly), World Mission Initiative (monthly), Metro-Urban Institute (quarterly), and Kelso Museum. Alums, there's also one for you!