Sing to the Lord a new song.  Psalm 96:1 God has put a new song in our mouth (see yesterday’s post – Psalm 40:3), and we are called to sing…

He put a new song in my mouth.                    Psalm 40:1-3 The psalmist proclaimed that God gave him a new song.  This announcement came from a personal experience of waiting upon the…

The old has gone. The new is here. 2 Corinthians 5:17 As you prepare for the usual journey from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day, consider your steps as anything…

“Our Father in Heaven, In Jesus Name we bow our hearts before you.  We come to you on the day that commemorates the birth of Your Son; our hearts are filled…

“She will give birth to a Son and will name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21 One of our most sacred and popular Christmas…

Born for you this day in the City of David is a Savior who is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:11 Remembering what seems a lifetime ago, age 13 had come…

Let’s go the Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has told us about. Luke 2:15 Each Advent Season offers an opportunity to revisit the manger.  This becomes a reality…

Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name.  Philippians 2:9  There are over 200 names and titles for Jesus in…

“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son born of a woman…” Galatians 4:4 Christmas. Just days away. What are your thoughts?  Are you panicked at how quickly…

Jesus came to that which was His own . . . to all who believe in Him are given the right to become children of God.   John 1:11-12 Dallas Texas,…

“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe who was lying in a manger.”  Luke 2:16   Be quick about slowing down.  No, this is not a contradiction.  This is…

“. . . I bring you good news of great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10   I have two dear friends who are High School football coaches in Texas.  God…

And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in swaddling cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the…

It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners . . .   I Timothy 1:15 Christmas is best defined as a…

“To Abraham and to His descendants forever, even as He said to our Fathers.”   Luke 1:55 I am presently enjoying one of the grand privileges of ministry: helping an engaged couple…

“If you really knew me you would know my Father as well.  From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”  John 14:7  Jesus provided focus for His disciples.  For many…

“For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of man ….

ARE YOU TOO BUSY TO RECOGNIZE THE BLESSING OF CHRISTMAS? “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; Holy is His name.  And His mercy is upon generation after…

And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and only, who came from the Father, full of grace…

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sin.”  Matthew 1:21 This advent season do not miss…

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him “Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.”  Isaiah 7:14 / Matthew 1:23 The intersection…

If God is for us who can be against us?  If He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also,…

December 5.  GOD IS LIFE “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For…

Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Isaiah 7:14   God Himself gave a sign.  I am sure for Mary that this didn’t seem as simple as a sign.    For the…

This is how God showed His love . . . He sent His Son.   I John 4:9 The bible communicates two foundational facts about love:  God is love (I John 4:8), and God…

Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Isaiah 7:14 In a day when desperation had fallen heavy upon the people of God, the announcement came concerning what God…

Prepare your heart for this season of celebrating the Messiah’s birth.  Begin singing now.  On that holy night, when the angel announced, “good tiding of great joy for all people,” Heaven’s…

And it Came to pass Luke 2:1 In the opening of the birth narrative of our Lord, Luke used language of real history concerning actual events: “and it came to…

“Joy to the World, our Savior reigns.” Conclusively, Christmas pronounces the reign of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Although announced at His birth that the Savior has come, the pre-incarnate…

Sing to the Lord with grateful praise.  Psalm 147:7 Throughout the entirety of the Scriptures, a life of gratitude seems to be consistently and genuinely on display.  God’s people are indeed…

Hi there! One of my most favorite things to do everyday is to WORSHIP!  I must WORSHIP my LORD in song. Now, I can’t sing on pitch at all. I…

I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and my sheep know Me. John 10:14 The relationship stands as the reason that sheep hear the voice of the shepherd and respond. “I…

By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27 This verse describes an example of faith – the life of…

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Psalm 100:4 The book of Psalms represents that part of the sacred Scriptures comprising sincere expressions of God’s worshippers.  And most…

They did not honor God nor give thanks to Him. Romans 1:21 The Bible remains very clear on the actions and attitudes God calls sin.  And, sins are always characterized as…

But as for me, I watch in hope. Micah 7:7 Recently, while studying some of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the advent of the Messiah, I was reminded of an…

Concerning adversity, we are instructed in the Scriptures to encounter trials with joy.  For trials test, purify, and ultimately refine.   “Now for a little while you may have to suffer various…

Tribulation works endurance. Romans 5:3 Recently, a precious soul visited my office and commented on the present condition of our society, and the entire world, with the simple yet meaningful…

The testing of your faith develops endurance.  James 1:2 Hardships are a guarantee in this life.  Most of us know this all too well.  Yet, despite the difficulties we face, our call…

In your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks. Ephesians 5:19-20 He never knew when the door would swing open leading to his execution.  Falsely accused.  Beaten.  Disserted by so called friends.  Separated from…

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,…

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 28:30 What an amazing invitation!     Today, I offer two considerations from this well-known verse.  (I…

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 How can faith become more than something spoken?  How can faith become…

How is your faith?  I am sure for most people this is an unexpected question, for we rarely consider the health of our faith.  But let’s go there for a moment: “how…

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His loving kindness is everlasting.   Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His name; make known His…

Today, I am moved by the call each of us has as God’s children to truly live in thankfulness.  The following are truths from God’s Word that realign our hearts toward…

  Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. . . the foundations of the prison were shaken. Acts 16:25-26 The New Testament chronicles three missionary journeys by…

Offer up a sacrifice of praise to God. Hebrews 13:15 There is power in our acknowledgement that above all else God is worthy of our worship and praise.  And this power…

That we may receive grace and mercy. Hebrews 4:16 Pray.  Pray earnestly and pray often.   Prayer represents the sacred conversation between you and your Heavenly Father made possible because God sent…

For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. Philippians 3:3 Paul proclaimed with personal conviction that all in his…

The theology behind our prayers Come before your God in the name of Christ and open your heart to Him in prayer.  He is waiting, for He is the one who…

Call to me. Jeremiah 33:3 Today, I encourage you in your desire for God’s presence.   Truly desire to come before God daily.  Hunger for quiet moments with Him.  Do not become satisfied…

So, the question continues:  in the midst of a crisis of faith, when God seems distant or even absent, how can one hold tight to the reality of our faith?  Within a message from…

In the midst of a crisis, when God seems distant or even absent, how can you hold tight to the reality of faith? Within a message from Lamentations there are three simple…

Where is God in the midst of our crisis?   Lamentations 3:21-23  21 Yet this I call to mind    and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,    for his compassions…

The Lord will rescue. Psalm 34:22 Kevin McKay drove the school bus along gridlocked, dark roads as pockets of fire burned all around. Nearly two dozen elementary school children were on board with…

You have left your first love.   Revelation 2:4 In the New Testament, we are told of an entire congregational community (the church at Ephesus) that fell to the danger of…

The joy of My salvation. Psalm 51:12 Do you remember these humble and penitent words of David, “God, return to me the joy of my salvation”?  I have discovered that one’s…

Rooted and built up. Colossians 2:7 What can horticulture and architecture teach us about our faith?  Be one who is rooted!  Be one who is built up! These are intentional metaphors our Lord gave through…

The builder of the house has more honor than the house. Hebrews 3:3 The writer of Hebrews has demonstrated in previous verses the superiority of Christ over angels, and over…

Blessed are you. Matthew 5:11. The blessed life.  Is this the same as a successful life? A good life? A prosperous life?   A brief look at Facebook and Twitter reveals how…

I will rejoice in doing them good. Jeremiah 32:41 Blessings from God’s perspective!  Have you even considered this?   The prophet Jeremiah led God’s people to entertain this wonderful thought, that God enjoys blessing…

Every spiritual blessing in the heavens. Ephesians 1:3 With great familiarity for many, this verse should result in the follower of Jesus shouting “amen” to the amazing reality of spiritual…

Sing to the Lord a new song. Psalm 96:1 I heard someone playing a Christmas song yesterday.  Wow, Christmas!  We are not that close, are we?  I’m counting 71 days away.  (I suppose for…

I will sing. Psalm 144:9 From the Psalms to the book of Revelations, the call to present a new song to God becomes a fundamental expression of a heart that…

These men had been with Jesus.  Acts 4:13 Peter and John were brought into custody by the temple authorities, the priest, and the Sadducees.  They were obtained for proclaiming the truth…

If you ask. John 14:14 Take a moment to thank God for answered prayer.  Thank Him that although we do not always understand His timing, He is nonetheless fully attentive to our petitions…

BLESS OTHERS!! Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.  I Peter 3:9…

Now unto Him Who is able. Ephesians 3:20 We are reminded by the Apostle Paul that it is “unto Him”, Christ Jesus our Lord, who has the power to do…

The Compass Proverbs 3:1, “My son, do not forget my teaching.” I remember being underwater around 40 to 50 feet.  My instructor was completing another portion of my advanced certification for…

Keep me as the apple of your eye. Psalm 17:8 He has you. He truly does.  This request of the Psalmist has been fulfilled for all who are truly His.  Take a…

Christ will be exalted in my life. Philippians 1:20 Warren Wiersbe observed of our calling to magnify Christ, “The stars are much bigger than the telescope, and yet the telescope…

“Do not withhold good.” Proverbs 3:27 Be ready for every good work.  Stay in a spirit of generosity. Do not overlook those right in front of you who are in need…

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 “What shall we say to these things?”  The Apostle Paul –…

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 28:30 What an amazing invitation! And, what a wonderfully personal and relevant concern the very…

Life constantly changes. God’s Word remains constant. At times we simply need to let go.  “Forget the former things;  do not dwell on the past.” (Isaiah 43:18)  Often times we need to hold…

Truths from Philippians, Chapter 1 that will encourage you today:  “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with…

John 1:47-50 Follow the narrative of the conversation between Jesus and Nathaniel:  47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”…

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon…

When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. John 1:37 As described in the Gospels, there were those who followed John the Baptist as his disciples (and…

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” John 1:35 At times, there can be…

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles . . .   I Peter 2:11-12 The Bible refers to followers of Christ as foreigners in this world.  Christians living in the diaspora of the late first…

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light….

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house. I Peter 2:5 The Bible references those who belong to Jesus as living stones.  As our very nature is spiritual, we…

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. I Peter 2:2-3 Let’s be…

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 1 Peter 2:1   The Epistle of I Peter addressed the Christians of the diaspora who suffered under Nero’s…

Be exalted in your strength, Lord; we will sing and praise your might. Psalm 21:13 From the context of Psalm 21, this concluding verse expresses a genuine desire to see God exalted…

But encourage one another daily! Hebrews 3:13 Community among believers represents a significant essential.   And most Christians understand this truth.  Most within the church understand that unity among the saints becomes a…

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23 Look intently into the above verse.  Jesus preached the…

And if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:17 As a child of God, you…

Romans 8:12-17 12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if…

He has shown you, O man, what is good.  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8) To act justly and to love mercy and to…

He has shown you, O man, what is good.     And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy     and to walk humblywith your God. Micah 6:8 He has…

But the greatest of these is love – Part ThreeI Corinthians 13:13(Part One – Sept. 10; Part Two – Sept. 12) What amazing promises.  Love protects all things.  Love believes all things,…

But the greatest of these is love – Part Two I Corinthians 13:13 LOVE does not behave rudely (unbecoming), does not seek its own, is not provoked, and thinks no…

Making the most of every opportunity. Ephesians 5:16 I stood there that day, motionless, trying to make sense of what had just been reported.  I quickly turned to the other people…

But the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13 Perhaps now more than ever before in our lifetime, the world stands in great need of love over hate.  So as Christ…

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 As “the voice of one crying in the wilderness,” John the Baptist proclaimed the sufficiency of the Christ.  He made straight the…

Do not chase your preferences.  Follow the Truth.  The Truth of Jesus will always satisfy you more than the fulfillment of any personal whims or desires of this life.     This is what…

God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:24 “This is my worship.  This is my offering.  In every moment I withhold nothing.”    I had just…