Where It All Began So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While…
A Prayer for When You Feel Rejected
We live in a broken world, where rejection— even from fellow Christians— could be just around the corner. But there is good news as we wait in expectation for God’s ultimate redemption! And that is Jesus. Jesus brought with Him a love that remains . . . is constant . . . stays the same.…
You Are Free Session One: To Be Free
We compete, and we compare, and we strive, and we put terrible pressure on ourselves to “keep up.” But the good news is that we were not made to keep up. We were made to be free… to be who we already are. ~ Rebekah Lyons Introduction Country music superstar Garth Brooks and Christian recording…
Anxious for Nothing Week 2 — Let Your Gentleness Be Evident to All
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything… — Philippians 4:5-6 Unchecked anxiety can unleash an Enola Gay* of destruction that levels everything in its way. ~ Max Welcome back! It’s week two of the Anxious for Nothing Online Bible Study with Max Lucado. *The Enola…
Defiant Joy: Greener Grass
He makes me lie down in green pastures. — Psalm 23:2 The tree was moving. There was no wind, but the leaves were fluttering with life. It was as if it had been quickened by an invisible command that no one could hear. No one, that is, but those who could fly. I approached the…
Prayer: The Garden of Gethsemane
“Not My Will, but Yours” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” — Luke 22:41–42 Gethsemane means “oil press.” The Garden of Gethsemane is mentioned in Matthew 26:36: Then Jesus went…
Six Hours One Friday Online Bible Study Week 2 — Two Tombstones
I am the Messiah. ~ Jesus to the Samaritan woman You’ve wanted to take off your mask. You’ve wanted to stop pretending. You’ve wondered what God would do if you opened your cobweb covered door of secret sin. ~ Max Lucado Welcome to week two of the Six Hours One Friday Online Bible Study with…
What Happens When Holy Women Talk to a Holy God
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just…
Taste and See Week 6 — Discovering the Liturgy of the Table
After taking the cup, He gave thanks… And He took the bread, and gave thanks and broke it… — Luke 22:17-19 We are changed when we give thanks and when we give thanks we are changed. Around the table, deep gratitude changes everything. ~ Margaret Feinberg Can you believe it’s our final week of the…