She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:7, ESV). And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). There are […]
The Reason for Two Christmas Stories Read More »
Usually, I write “Psalms on Saturday,” focusing on an individual psalm. It’s taken a little over three years, but I now have only five psalms I haven’t written about. I’m postponing “Psalms on Saturday” till the beginning of 2026. Instead, I’m writing on Detrich Bonhoeffer’s Christmas thoughts, and then after Christmas, spending two Saturdays on
Bonhoeffer on Saturday ~ Christmas Thoughts Read More »
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone (Colossians 4:5-6, NLT). We are entrusted by Jesus to make the good news about Him known to others. The most difficult “sharing Jesus” moments
Sharing Jesus with Relatives Read More »
To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled (Titus 1:15, ESV). Biblical ideas constantly receive negative reviews on social media. The Bible talks about purity, but the world laughs at purity. The Bible teaches that without purity, our thinking becomes
A Needed Purity Revolution Read More »
Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever (1 Timothy 4:7-8, MSG). Christianity is a relationship with God. As such, spiritual fitness differs from physical fitness. I will describe the differences in a
Spiritual Fitness Check-Up Read More »
Nazareth is mentioned many times in the New Testament. Among the most important events … Nazareth was a small community in Galilee of about 50 houses and 400 inhabitants at the time of Jesus. For many years, in the absence of definitive archaeological evidence for the existence of Nazareth, skeptics claimed that the town was
Nazareth and the Childhood Home of Jesus Read More »
The effective prayer of a righteous believer can accomplish much (James 5:16b, OGV). Some saints are more accomplished in praying than others. Since health, finances, peace, victory, relationships, and every aspect of our lives can be helped by prayer, we must pray effectively! How do we know if our prayer status matches Moses, who parted
Three Indicators of Great Praying Read More »
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! (Psalm 115:1, ESV) The Hebrew word for “glory” is “Kabowd” (don’t try to pronounce), and it means “weight.” Not in the sense of weighing objects but what we give emphasis to, what
Psalms on Saturday ~ Psalm 115 Read More »
During a palace coup led by King David’s son Absalom, David fled Jerusalem quickly into the wilderness. While traveling, a man named Shimei (a relative of former King Saul) came out of a village and walked alongside David and those with him … As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the
When People Curse You! Read More »
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16, ESV). Recently, I watched a short video by a young woman claiming that Jesus didn’t exist. She had three points: 1. There is no mention of Jesus in literature (outside the New Testament),
Did Jesus Really Live? Read More »