Christmas and gift giving. The two have always been associated with each other for good reason. The magi gave Jesus the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The shepherds gave Jesus the gift of their time and belief. Mary gave Jesus the gift of her womb. The offerings seem practical. The wise men’s treasures could…
Praying to Move On with the Lord
“I’m still on shaky ground,” I said to myself as I drove to church one Sunday morning nearly a year after coming to know the Lord. Even though my life was much improved, I still had this uneasy feeling that at any moment I could lose the stability I’d gained. I feared that my glimpses…
The Hope of Jesus
Hope We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. — Hebrews 6:19–20 The first-century symbol of Christianity was an anchor, not a cross. Pictured on the epitaphs of first-, second-, and third-century believers,…
The Good Shepherd
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs Know that the Lord is God It is He who made us, and we are His; We are His people, the sheep of His pasture — Psalm 100:2-3 Read Psalms 100–102 We come across another lament of an afflicted man in Psalm 102. Deep and…
The Good Shepherd
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. — John 10:11 A bad shepherd lets his sheep to stray. He neglects the flock, allowing the sheep to graze in bad fields or experience life-threatening thirst. He beats the lambs to teach submission and obedience. He isn’t alert to…
Laugh Without Fear
Fear causes us to miss out on the beauty and joy that exists in every life. Fear robs, steals, pillages our very hearts and leaves behind a greasy film not removable by human hands. Fear is the unwelcome greedy guest, the depressing third wheel, the clinging darkness clouding the light of the Son. Fear takes…
What Kind of “Sheep” are You?
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. — Psalm 23:1–3 (NIV) No Psalm is better known or better loved than Psalm 23, which probably owes its origin (at least humanly speaking) to David’s boyhood years as…