
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Continue readingFor to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Continue readingThe Christmas season has arrived!
Radio stations are playing joyful Christmas carols. Families are addressing beautiful Christmas cards. Preparations for Christmas cookies are being made as grandma’s recipes are pulled from kitchen drawers. And Christmas trees stand tall in the house, soon to be decorated in anticipation of Christmas presents that will surround them.
These events are not the reason for Christmas, but they have transitioned through the years into festive activities Christians enjoy as we celebrate the season. A season when school children and employees alike are excused from their expected duties to acknowledge one extraordinary day – Christmas!
Sadly, there are folks out there trying to snuff our seasonal festivities. Festivities Christians enjoy as part of the Christmas celebration.
Continue readingJesus Christ did not come into the world to condemn. Jesus came to be a friend to all that are willing to receive Him.
Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Like a friend tapping on your door waiting for you to answer; Jesus taps at your heart, waiting for you to receive His gift. Picture your friend standing there holding a large box just for you! Now picture Jesus, who desires to be your best friend, offering you a free gift that will last a lifetime.
Jesus offers you salvation.
Continue readingThe surest way to turn a good day bad, for yourself and for others, is to spew negative words. In truth, if we often speak negativity, it turns into our norm. I know someone in particular whose conversation overflows with negativity. When I know I’ll be around that person, I approach the event mentally prepared.
Negative words and thoughts are not worthless, they do carry power. They trigger bleak emotion, aggressive action, cause pain, and forbid joy to evolve within you. Negativity does not nurture joy.
Matthew 15:10-11 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
Continue readingLast week my post—When did “a cross” become “The Cross”?, revealed the true message of The Cross. “Through Jesus’ resurrection—He once was dead then came to life three days later—a cross turned into The Cross!”
“Literally, a cross is itself not power. But, The Cross, the means by which Jesus sacrificed Himself to death and now symbolizes eternal life for Christians-that, dear believers, holds power. It is truth we Christians need to remember daily.”
It was on The Cross that Jesus shared His final words. Often, people are intrigued to know the dying words of someone about to take their last breath. In fact books have been written on this very topic. Famous last words of five well known men include:
Continue readingToo often, we believe ourselves to be worthless, useless or incompetent. Why? Because we erroneously listen to someone who harbors evil in their heart claiming that against us!
Don’t listen to them anymore!
I encourage you now—do not believe anything that an evil heart dares to profess about you! You are worthy because you were created by the Creator of the world, made perfect in every way.
Continue readingWhile Joseph and Mary were living in Nazareth and Mary was still with child, the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, declared a census of the entire Roman empire.
The word joy appears 218 times in 210 verses of the New International Version of the Bible. God absolutely wants His children to desire, seek, attain, and boldly live in joy!
As a child during vacation Bible school, we often sang the Joy Joy Joy Joy song. I really enjoyed that song because our leaders encouraged us to sing it enthusiastically LOUD.
My memories are vivid—I was always happy and cheerful while we sang that inspiring song. Now as an adult, I totally appreciate going deeper into the meaning of that song, resonating in those unadorned lyrics.
Continue readingWhat a blessing to be spending the holidays with my husband, mother, daughter and son-in-law!
Holiday’s past included a wider field of family, but over the years that has changed. Beloved members have passed, some moved out of state, and sadly, we have lost touch with others for various reasons.
However, though our party group has gotten smaller, I have found I have expanded my understanding of the meaning of Christmas. Continue reading
Jesus Christ is the Master of instruction to live a positive life. His Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew, chapters 5 ,6, and 7, eloquently reveals what is important in life, and how we can grow in the kingdom of heaven.
Two thousand years ago, enormous crowds gathered together on a hillside near Capernaum, as Jesus preached for several days what has become one of His most famous messages. Continue reading