He Will Be For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the... Read more
Perfect Gift December 23, 2014 Year B Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him, there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. (James 1:17) Have you ever received the bestgift? On television commercials talk about giving someone the perfect gift. “Get someone the gift that is perfect this Christmas,” they proclaim. For me, there never really has been a gift that is perfect. Toys break, tools and clothes... Read more
He Is Coming December 22, 2014 Year B before the Lord, for He is coming— for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with His faithfulness. (Psalm 96:13, HCSB) Every child looks forward to Santa Claus coming on Christmas Eve. They wait all year. As his time comes near, they share what they want to get from Santa. On Thanksgiving, they see his first appearance on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Then they wait for... Read more
Organic Holy of Holies December 21, 2014 Year B The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35, HCSB) “the power of the Most High will overshadow you” What does this mean that the power will overshadow you? In what way would the Holy Spirit envelope Mary with power? The image is related to the... Read more
Always Promoting the Father December 20, 2014 Year B The Angel of the Lord said to him, “If I stay, I won’t eat your food. But if you want to prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the Lord.” For Manoah did not know He was the Angel of the Lord. (Judges 13:19, HCSB) The parents of the future judge Samson were instructed by The Angel of the Lord (another name for the preincarnate Christ) about how the boy would... Read more
Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro is an excellent book for pastors who have experienced burnout. Using personal experience from his own burnout, Cordeiro shares many truths which can help a pastor mend and get back into ministry. Cordeiro begins by sharing examples of people who experienced burnout in the Bible. Moses and Elijah are the guides which he uses to explain how burnout can happen. He continues by sharing the stories... Read more
Worship Jealousy December 19, 2014 Year B As the ark of the Lord was entering the city of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart. (2 Samuel 6:16, HCSB) Why would Saul’s daughter be jealous? She was Saul’s daughter, so perhaps she still wanted her father as the king. Perhaps she didn’t like how David was dressed. I personally think that Micah... Read more
Irreverence in Worship December 18, 2014 Year B Then the Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him dead on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there next to the ark of God. (2 Samuel 6:7, HCSB) When I was a Boy Scout, I learned the Scout Law: A Scout is: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. That last word – reverent – was a quality associated with my worship to... Read more
Perseverance of the Saints December 17, 2014 Year B Psalm 125:1-5 “Those who trust in the Lord” – saints, believers, those who follow Jesus, are the ones who are addressed in this psalm. In (Psalm 125:1), they are compared to Mount Zion. Mount Zion (in Jerusalem) isn’t going anywhere. The saints are going to remain. The psalmist states that the saints will persevere. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, God will surround and protect His people (Psalm 125:2). To make sure... Read more
His Love Is Eternal December 16, 2014 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love is eternal.” (Psalm 136:1, HCSB) HIS The Person of Whom this psalm speaks is God. Twenty-six times the psalmist repeats the phrase: “His love is eternal.” He begins by asking people to give thanks to God. There are all kinds of reasons to be thankful. These reasons are listed throughout the psalm. Each of these reasons are personal examples in which God... Read more
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