The Poverty Carol reminds us that Jesus welcomes humble, broken people. He was born in very humble surroundings to poor parents. His first days were spent in a feeding trough most likely surrounded by farmyard animals. The Bible assures us that Jesus sympathizes with us in our weaknesses. He understands the human condition. He’s well aware that we are broken, sinful people. When we come to him humbly and repentantly, he will welcome us warmly. Read More ...
At Christmastime, we celebrate Jesus’ birth, and rightly so. We should recognize that Jesus’ birth was the culmination of a long line of people and events that had to unfold in a certain way. In part, it’s these genealogical lists that give us confidence that Jesus is whom he claimed to be—not only the son of Mary and the adopted son of Joseph, but the son of David, the son of Abraham and, most significantly, the eternal Son of God. Read More ...
We can face our trials and tribulations with faith or with a lack of faith. We can allow the trials to weaken us, or we can persevere faithfully through the trial. And prayer is often the key to our response. We should face our trials with prayer and faith. Read More ...
We should not be seeking high positions of authority for ourselves. If we have positions of authority, we should not be tyrants or dictators. Christian leaders must serve others like Jesus did, with humility and compassion. Read More ...
I wonder what George Washington would think of our country today? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we still had national leaders like him? What would it be like to have national leaders who encourage our people to recognize God’s providence, to obey God’s will, to be thankful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor? Perhaps we still have a few elected leaders who would agree with Washington, but not many. It seems that we have fewer and fewer leaders or citizens who care about such things. Many of our so-called leaders today urge us to reject biblical values and to deny the providence of God. What a shame. Read More ...
Jesus’ death was not due simply to human conspiracies. Our enemy, the devil, the accuser of the brethren, was deeply involved in the plot to kill Jesus. Even so, it was not Satan that put Jesus on the cross, nor was it Judas or even Pilate. Jesus went to his death willingly, as a voluntary sacrifice for our sins. Read More ...
In times of upset and upheaval, we have a reliable, unchanging foundation—the Word of God. The words of Jesus are more reliable than anything else in this shifting, chaotic world. Read More ...
Apart from the biblical authors themselves, Calvin stands as one of the most influential Christian leaders the world has ever seen. Luther’s colleague, Philip Melanchthon, revered him as the most able interpreter of Scripture in the church, and therefore labeled him simply “the theologian.” And Charles Spurgeon said that Calvin “propounded truth more clearly than any other man that ever breathed, knew more of Scripture, and explained it more clearly.” His influence remains strong within numerous branches of the church even today. Read More ...
We can have confidence that all of the things Jesus tells us here will happen. The culmination of this plan is the 2nd Coming of Christ and the establishment of his kingdom. And before the kingdom arrives, believers will experience the kinds of things Jesus warns about here—persecution, wars, natural disasters, betrayal, and even death. We must endure such difficulties; we must persevere in faith and in good works until the Lord returns. Read More ...
The scribes were vain, greedy, and hypocritical abusers. To outward appearances, they looked like holy men, humble servants of God. But inwardly, under the veneer, they were just the opposite. They were selfish and materialistic. They didn’t really care about others, even the most pitiful and vulnerable among them. They cared only about themselves. Read More ...