Monday December 15, 2025III Week of AdventToday’s Advent Readings:

Amos 9:1–10; Revelation 2:8–17; Matthew 23:13–26In Amos 9:1–10, God confronts Israel with the consequences of turning away from Him. There is no hiding place from His holiness—He sees every injustice, every empty ritual, every hardened heart. Advent reminds us that God’s judgment is not meant to destroy hope but to wake us up. Before the Savior comes, He calls His people to return with sincerity, humility, and truth.In Revelation 2:8–17, Jesus speaks to two churches—one suffering, one compromised. To Smyrna, He says: “Do not fear… Be faithful unto death.” To Pergamum, He calls for repentance where compromise has crept in. Advent forms us into people who stand firm in faith, enduring hardship, resisting cultural pressure, and holding fast to Christ’s name.In Matthew 23:13–26, Jesus exposes the dangers of spiritual hypocrisy—religious leaders who looked holy on the outside but were spiritually blind within. Advent leads us away from mere appearances and toward authentic worship, clean hands flowing from a clean heart.Together, these passages compel us to take Advent seriously: To let God examine us…To stand courageously for Christ…To repent of hypocrisy and return to wholehearted devotion.The Light is coming. Let every hidden place be made ready.