I’ve read the end of both Bible Testaments, and the good news I find there motivates me to savor all of Scripture.

I will confess that over the years the last week of the year and the first week of the new year tend to keep me restless and stressed. It doesn’t take long for the worry and stress over things I can’t control to start backing up.

There is good news this year! In Psalm 146 and 147 we see many reasons to have hope, and we can gain perspective on where we can and must place our hope, no matter what the candidates tell us.

Just as David wrote that God had prepared his hands for war and his fingers for battle, we can also be prepared for our battles by spending time in prayer, in praise, and even by lifting our hands to God in worship.

Knowing that God was at the beginning and will be at the end of our lives, we can be confident he will not abandon us here in the middle.

A few years ago I began a new practice of picking a few Scriptures to read and pray each day. I have picked as many as seven and as few as two the last few years.

Maybe some are eager to tear the last page off of 2023 while we hope and pray for better times in 2024. And maybe in these last couple of days of the year, we should have an honest and bold conversation with the Lord.

Yesterday I wrote suggesting that when we give, our focus should be on the kingdom and not about our own recognition. The same must be said about every kind of Christian service.

It’s not uncommon to think about last year’s spending, next-year’s budget, and this year’s contributions as we come to the end of December. When it comes to giving, the question we might ask is, “Why?”

When someone says these words there has been a failure to meet expectations.  Whatever the past looked like needs to change now.  One thing is necessary for that to happen.

Merry Christmas from Dean Collins!

We find ourselves rushing through Scripture readings, Advent devotionals, and prayer as we frantically try to get gifts purchased, food prepared, parties attended, and work finished. And we just can’t seem to find enough time to sleep.

Christmas is a season of joy. And joy, real and divine joy, comes to us as we abide in Christ and follow his teachings.

As we contemplate the gift of Jesus who came to the world a little over 2,000 years ago, we can have full assurance that he delivers on his promises 100 percent of the time.

The angels spoke their praise. Today we gladly sing it. And it’s a message not limited to the familiar Christmas Bible texts.

We may hide gifts at Christmas, but God has made clear the remarkable gift h’s provided for us.

We may think of repentance as a subject for Lent more than Advent. But a second look helps us to think again.

“Let us press on to know the Lord.”

The little letter of Jude gives us the perfect Christmas list: “May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.”

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.