Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” Genesis 27:41 Hatred is a pattern that repeats itself for generations; often a pattern that is never broken. One […]
Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, if someone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. For this reason I tell you, whatever […]
So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NET) Celebrating a new year represents more than just a day on the calendar, it marks a new beginning. The word new is a fairly easy concept to grasp. […]
The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each […]
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke […]
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14 Peace and goodwill – the seemingly ever-elusive state that the world seeks, but never quite achieves. Lots of options […]
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will […]
Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and […]
By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance. O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. Psalm 95:5 Hopelessness! This seems to be the primary diagnosis of our nation, of our world and, maybe of ourselves. It seems as if daily […]
But if not…. If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, o king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden […]