“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 Today, let’s explore more fully the why of Christmas. I would love to refer you to the first two posts of this theme, The Greatest Love Story, Part I, published here on March 25, 2012. The Greatest Love Story, Part…
Christ Holds Us Together
“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 What hope springs forth from that verse! No matter what we are facing, in relationships or as a nation, if we are in Jesus, He will hold us together! Let’s break that down a bit. Maybe you have a very heated…
Do Your Best For the Lord!
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23 This past week provided me with a few teachable moments with my girls on the above verse. On Monday morning, our five-year-old sat down to her preschool homework. She knows her letters and how to write…
You Are God Alone
“For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.” Psalm 48:14 Ever have a time when your world seemed to be falling apart? Sometimes, it appears that everything happening is nothing God would want. We must remember: No matter what, God is still on His…
Cling to Jesus in the Storm
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Last month, I experienced the perfect storm, spiritually speaking. First, I missed church four Sundays straight, probably for the first time in my…
Book Study: James, Part IX
“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” James 5:19-20 Those final verses in James have haunted me now for a few…
Book Study: James, Part VIII
“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16b Think of a time when you desperately needed God’s direction or intervention. Sometimes, we use the phrase “I’m praying really hard!” for someone or something. Sometimes we might want something so bad, it consumes us and we might miss other things God has for…
Book study: James, Part VII
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10 Last spring, I had the opportunity to take a ladies class on prayer. Having accepted Christ as a child, I have been praying for many years now! Although I have been praying for decades, I realized I am still learning and growing…
Book Study: James Part VI, Taming the Tongue: Self-Talk
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.” James 3:9 Do you struggle when you hear gossip? (Please see Taming the Tongue, Part I, posted February 19, 2012.) Do you struggle with holding your own tongue? (Please see Taming the Tongue…
Book Study: James, Part V
“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for…