Prepare the Way (Luke 3:4b)
Prepare the way for the Lord; make His paths straight. (Luke 3:4b) John’s job was to ready the masses to receive the Messiah. His task was to “make His paths straight,” not because Jesus wasn’t able to find His own way into people’s hearts, but because people always have barriers that prevent a clear view of […]
Jesus has given you a holy calling
Therefore, holy brothers [and sisters], you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession… (Hebrews 3:1) Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee and called out to some fishermen. “Follow me,” He said, and they did. He’s calling you to the same thing. To be a Christian […]
Wisdom, Stature, and Favor (Luke 2:52)
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. (Luke 2:52) Would you increase in your stature and standing in the world? Would you maximize and take advantage of every opportunity to grow stronger in body, mind and spirit? Seek God’s wisdom, and the stature will follow. Would you […]
Jesus understands your struggle
For because He himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18) Do you ever struggle with temptation? Jesus understands. Do you sometimes wrestle with desires to meet God-given cravings in ungodly ways? Jesus understands. The particulars of a temptation are not its most powerful element. Underneath every […]
The Time Came (Luke 2:6)
While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for [Mary] to give birth. (Luke 2:6) We live in a world of instant weather reports and apps that let us track every stage of a pregnancy. Finding our way to a new place is as simple as tapping a button on a smartphone, and knowing what […]
Jesus will surely hold you up
[Jesus] is the radiance of the glory of God, and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. (Hebrews 1:3a) From starfish to stars, goldfish to galaxies, Jesus holds the universe together. He is both Creator and sustainer of all things, and nothing slips by His […]
Time to Treasure (Luke 2:19)
But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. (Luke 2:19) Wonderful things were happening to Mary, and she refused to just let them pass by. She took time to treasure, to set aside moments for meditating on the things that were taking place in her life. Mary was able […]
Jesus has a crown of righteousness for you
Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8) Judgment Day is coming. Only God the Father knows the exact hour, but the […]
Working Within the System (Luke 2:22-24)
And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, [Joseph and Mary] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (just as it is written in the law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice (according to what […]
God’s Word prepares you for God’s work
God’s Hope for Your Heart from 2 Timothy 3 GOD’S WORD PREPARES YOU FOR GOD’S WORK All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) God has a goal for […]
