In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called (more…)
God’s Indescribable Gift
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! – 2 Corinthians 9:15
It had been a hard year, and I found myself sharing my heart with a trusted friend. “I don’t think we’re going to be able to do much for Christmas this year,” I said sadly.
“You mean Christmas presents or Christmas itself? Because Christmas isn’t about presents,” she replied. Her reply (more…)
You Are Worth Dying For
I had made it my mission one recent Saturday to be an encouragement to others. In the dairy aisle, I encouraged the new mom with the baby strapped to her chest. As I walked down the specialty diet aisle, I encouraged a middle-aged woman who was newly diagnosed with celiac disease, a condition I share. While in the checkout line, I (more…)
The God of All Grace
Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen and support you after you have suffered a little while. – 1 Peter 5:10
This verse jumped out at me as I read through my Sunday school lesson a few weeks ago, so I immediately wrote it on an index card (more…)
Imitating Jesus’ Silence
When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. – 1 Peter 2:23
If you’ve been alive long enough to know how to read, you’ve suffered crushing criticism. Perhaps you’ve responded in kind, and likely you’ve responded in your own defense, particularly if the attack (more…)