Recent Devotions
During this time of year, it may be easy to forget that the bigger purpose behind Bethlehem was Calvary. The purpose of Jesus’ birth was His death. The purpose of the manger was the Cross. It wasn’t as pretty as a department store tree. There were no lights or fancy bows. Its decorations were stains of blood red, a few metallic nails, and garlands of grave cloth. The tree topper was a scrawled sign that read “King of the Jews” behind a wreath of thorns. There were no pretty boxes with expensive gifts and tags overflowing below. The bad list was…
Christmas is upon us. I love dressing my house with all the holiday décor and enjoy all the festivities that accompany this time of year. Along with all things “holidayish” comes the time when we get to bestow well-thought-out gifts on our favorite people. Around the dinner table, our family enjoys deep…
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7) In 1719, Pastor Isaac Watts, who wrote over eight hundred hymns, penned the words to the hymn “Joy to…
Readers Loved
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. (Psalm 91:1-6) Where to start this stupid story? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀…
“Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” Hebrews 11:11 Sarah is one of the greatest examples in the Bible of someone patiently waiting for a promise to be fulfilled. We can all learn so much from her. Can you imagine how difficult it must have been for her to pack up her belongings and start out on a journey not knowing where she was going? Abraham had direction from God, and even though she may have disagreed with…
“And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and…
“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49, NKJV) Jesus spoke these words to His disciples during the forty days between His resurrection and the day He was caught up to heaven. During the time He spent with them, He spoke of “the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). Although they had been with Him during His years of ministry, there was still so much for them to learn and understand. When those gathered in the Upper Room…
