Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness (Psalm 29:1–2, esv). Some Christians claim worship is more than singing—that making a meal, cleaning the car, helping a neighbor are all acts of […]
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11, esv). Do you have a nativity set? In the familiar cast of characters, each has his or her own role to play. Each has a different relationship to the Christ-child, the central figure in […]
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, esv). Have you ever heard people quote Isaiah 9:6 and skip the sentence about government? It’s understandable—we’re […]
He came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:28–30, esv). […]
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23–24, esv). Forgiveness is the starting point in restoring relational harmony—there are […]
Then one of [the ten lepers], when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan (Luke 17:15–16, esv). Thankfulness is the attitude that perfectly displaces our sinful tendency to complain and thereby […]
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:14–15, esv). Jesus Christ, Son of God, second person of the Trinity, Lord of the universe, […]
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6–7, esv). Throughout the day we need little arrow prayers—quick prayers in […]
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! (2 Timothy 2:8-9, esv). The ancient catacombs are six hundred miles of tunnels underneath Rome that were in use for […]
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened (Romans 1:21, esv). “Thank You, God.” How often do those words cross our lips? How often does genuine gratitude fill our hearts? This isn’t a […]