Posts from 2025

Three Responses to Jesus

Matthew 2:1-12 Long ago, there ruled in Persia a wise and goodking.He loved his people. He wanted to know how theylived.He wanted to know about their hardships.Often he dressed in the clothes of a working man ora beggar, and went to the homes of the poor.No one whom he visited thought that he was theirruler.One…

The Importance of Christmas

Luke 2:1-7 I read about a little boy who was in his firstChristmas pageant. He was 5. He was one of theshepherds–you know, they wear their bathrobesand their sandals and carry cardboard crooks–nota lead shepherd, just a common shepherd standingin the back. But when it came time for the Nativity,he crowded around to the front…

Shepherds Respond to the Good News

Luke 2:8-20 If our greatest need had been information,God would have sent us an educator;If our greatest need had been technology,God would have sent us a scientist;If our greatest need had been money,God would have sent us an economist;If our greatest need had been pleasure,God would have sent us an entertainer;But our greatest need was…

Mary’s Song of Praise

Luke 1:46-55 In New York’s Hayden Planetarium a specialChristmas holiday show was enhanced by an addedfeature. A giant lollipop tree was projected onto theplanetarium dome, surrounded by a horizon filledwith brilliantly colored toys which came to life andcavorted to the tune of “Jingle Bells.” At the climaxa huge figure of Santa Claus faded out in…

Mary’s Response to God’s Grace

Luke 1:26-38 As we paid nothing for God’s eternal love andnothing for the Son of His love, and nothing for HisSpirit and our grace and faith, and nothing for oureternal rest…What an astonishing thought it will beto think of the unmeasurable difference betweenour deservings and our receivings. O, how free wasall this love, and how…

David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving

2 Samuel 7:18-29 Matthew Henry, the famous Bible expositor, wasonce accosted by thieves and robbed of hispocketbook. He wrote these lines in his diary: Let me be thankful,first, because I was never robbed before;second, because, although they took my purse,they did not take my life;third, because, although they took my all, it wasnot much; andfourth,…

5 Truths for Dealing with Sin

2 Samuel 12:1-15 A little boy visiting his grandparents was given his firstslingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hithis target.As he came back to Grandma’s backyard, he spied her petduck. On an impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit,and the duck fell dead.The boy panicked. Desperately he hid…

David Defeated by Desire

2 Samuel 11 The mighty Niagara River plummets some 180 feet at the American and Horseshoe Falls. Before the falls, there are violent, turbulent rapids. Farther upstream, however, where the river’s current flows more gently, boats are able to navigate. Just before the Welland River empties into the Niagara, a pedestrian walkway spans the river.…

Paul’s Guidance on the Lord’s Supper

I Corinthians 11:17-34 Does anyone know what God’s favorite kind of teais?Majesty Do you know how He makes it?Hebrews it of course Today we are going to observe the Lord’s Supper. We aregoing to look at Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth asour text. Let’s start by praying and asking God to speak to…

David’s Kindness Despised

2 Samuel 10:1-19 Once while Abraham Lincoln was dining in theWhite House one of his guests blew on his coffee,poured it into his saucer, and drank from it. As youmight imagine, some of the refined ladies andgentlemen seated nearby were aghast, and for amoment the room was filled with an embarrassedsilence. Then Lincoln took his…