“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV The Christmas season is a time when we have gifts on our minds. My husband and I recently took our eleven-year-old daughter, at her request,...

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The...

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us — they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally...

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV Paul instructs us to give thanks in all circumstances. He further explains, “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Why does God emphasize gratitude so...

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV In the story “The Horse and his Boy” in The Chronicles of Narnia, C. S. Lewis...

“Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.” Psalm 30:4 ESV “Lord, I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in!” Who are the saints? I want to be one . . . I think. Do I have to do...

“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:3 NIV “Even though as Christians we affirm the reality of the spiritual realm, sometimes we succomb to the naturalistic assumption that what we...

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord . . .” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV I told a friend of mine a few weeks ago, “I keep trying to figure out my life, but the more I try, the more I realize that I don’t know the answer...

“Call to me and I will answer youand tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NIV This week I want to explore God’s prohecies and promises. Does He really tell us about the future? If so, how and for what purpose? Let’s start with some definitions....

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Psalm 100:1-2 NIV The topic this week is worship. As we are instructed in Psalm 150:6 (NIV), “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” God created us to have...