In Luke 5, it says that Jesus would withdraw to desolate places and pray. We are encouraged to enter our prayer closets to pray. I believe that means that we are to seek to be present with God and not be distracted when it comes to spending time with God. Why is this so hard?…
“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 This is probably the most famous verse in the Bible. Maybe it’s because this verse gives us a summary of the perfect and greatest gift we as…
In Luke 5, it says that Jesus would withdraw to desolate places and pray. We often talk about entering our prayer closets to pray. I believe that means that we are to seek to be present with God and not be distracted when it comes to spending time with God. Why is this so hard?…
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Matthew 2:10-11 Christmas is not just about acknowledging Jesus but adoring him. It is not first about our witness to the world but about worship…
One of my favorite Christmas carols is Joy to the World. It is an upbeat hymn and one that, right from the beginning, celebrates the coming of Jesus and calls us to worship. The hymn was written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748) and was published in 1719. While Joy to the World has been sung during…
In a season often marked by a frenzied busyness, Advent is an opportunity to set aside time to prepare our hearts. The term advent is a version of a Latin word that means “coming.” The four weeks before Christmas are set aside as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Jesus’…
As I prepare my sermon each week, I spend time in prayer and wrestling with what God is saying to me and what I believe He wants me to say to you. Often, this leads to a lot of material. Since I am immersed in the text, the points seem obvious to me. However, I…
Among the possessions we have, there are those we treasure more than others. It may be something that has little monetary value but it holds great sentimental value – that vase that came from your grandmother, that now sits on your mantel. It’s a treasured possession. You may have a special bond with a loved one.…
One of the most repeated commands in the Bible is to “fear not.” Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount not to worry about tomorrow. And Paul assured the Philippian Christians, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And…
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31 What do you do to stay in shape? For me, I try to hit the gym every day. I find it interesting that…