From a minor prophet, it is a challenge fit even at Christmastime
We may think of repentance as a subject for Lent more than Advent. But a second look helps us to think again.
O come, let us press on now with worship and service of Jesus!
“Let us press on to know the Lord.”
Three prayers, three gifts—nothing could be better at Christmas!
The little letter of Jude gives us the perfect Christmas list: “May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.”
Peace, the promise of Christmas, comes through relationships
When we have a right relationship with God through Christ, then his peace fills us and makes it possible for us to bring peace to others.
Discovering the joy and necessity of a hiding place with God
When we go to our hiding place with God, he will cover us with his loving arms, remind us of all his promises, and give us the strength and the wisdom to navigate every challenge victoriously.
Our goal: staying together in a world intent on segmentation
What good news we have is that our identity with Christ translates into community with God and each other.
‘Love not the world’—even in the gift-giving month of December?
“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. “
Our experience of Christmas can go beyond our physical senses
Decorating for Christmas is usually a sensory experience. Christ’s first coming involved all the senses, too.
We celebrate as always, but sometimes with a longing for what’s next
Most of us have trouble waiting, especially for Christmas. Even more challenging is our wait for the second advent of Jesus.
At Advent we look back, but the greater joy is in looking ahead
Advent includes some looking back at the promises and prophecies of God. But Advent also always prompts us to wait and to hope for something yet to be revealed.
Again and again, God echoes this chapter’s warning to leaders
Every leader gets plenty of criticism. But when the words of warning come from God himself, all who love him must take notice.
Deciding to obey while struggling to understand what God wants
God’s direction seemed harsh to the prophet, and his ways sometimes seem difficult to us, too.
God needs full-time kingdom workers who will always stay on the job
We are to do everything we can to encourage one another to stay the course, to endure whatever suffering comes.
An example from Jesus and a calling from God: ‘Stand in the gap’
Every church and every faith-based nonprofit needs volunteers and donors who will stand in the gap for the people God has called us to love and serve.
Only someone worth following could be called both ‘Rock’ and ‘Lamb’
When we think of WWE, we easily associate The Rock with someone strong. The term applies to the one who saves us, but then the Bible uses a far different word for him, too.
A key to healthy living, emotionally and spiritually: Find your words
We do well to remember the Lord is not silent—and it behooves us not to be silent, either!
We are thankful because God has opened the gates of righteousness
“Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.”
In case we’ve forgotten, here are some of God’s reasons for thanks
The name of this holiday helps us focus hearts and minds on the divine source of every good gift that comes from above.
40? 50? 10,000? How many reasons can we name to be grateful?
Gratitude changes everything. It moves us from the floor of pity to the pinnacle of praise. And lifting up God pulls us up as well.
Even in unpredictable times and difficult days, thank the Lord!
Have you ever lived in the shadow of an unpredictable power structure or leader? Take a glance at what the prophet told his people who faced a similar situation.