Of all the titles attached to Christ, perhaps the most poignant is “Son.” The prophet Isaiah wrote, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given” (Isaiah 9:6). The Gospel of Matthew opens with the words, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). And at the Lord’s baptism, a voice burst from heaven like thunder … [Read more...] about Is Jesus the Son of God or the Son of Mary?
Holidays
A Red-Letter Christmas Advent Devotional
Each December, billboards appear around my hometown of San Diego that say, “Jesus Is the Reason for the Season.” While this statement may seem trite, it reminds passersby that, if we’re not careful, we can get so caught up in the festivities, parties, shopping lists, gifts, and budgets that we forget the real story of Christmas. I’ll be the first to admit that I love the … [Read more...] about A Red-Letter Christmas Advent Devotional
Loving Through Leadership: A Father’s Day Bible Study
When Moses died, the nation of Israel experienced a significant transition. The one who had led them out of slavery, who had parted the waters of the Red Sea, and who had presented them with the Ten Commandments, would not lead them into the Promised Land. Instead, God commissioned Joshua to lead His people into the land, settle it, and defeat powerful nations. On the … [Read more...] about Loving Through Leadership: A Father’s Day Bible Study
Mother’s Day Bible Study: 4 Qualities of Great Encouragers
Mothers seem to have an intrinsic ability to inspire others. From their example, we can identify four qualities that illustrate how we, too, can be godly encouragers. 1. Encouragers demonstrate commitment. 2. Encouragers express honor. 3. Encouragers provide a haven of support. 4. Encouragers maintain an eternal perspective. For most of us, the month of May brings … [Read more...] about Mother’s Day Bible Study: 4 Qualities of Great Encouragers
Why Is Friday Good? Helping Kids Understand Good Friday
When we think of Jesus’ suffering on the first “Good Friday,” it does not seem good at all, especially to kids. Thinking of the Easter story in terms of three core truths may help guide your conversations. 1. Jesus’ death was the only solution to our sin problem. 2. Jesus died for guilty people—like us! 3. Jesus’ death changed everything. The morning of February 18, 2020, … [Read more...] about Why Is Friday Good? Helping Kids Understand Good Friday
Why Did Jesus Have to Die on the Cross?
Because of the prevalence of coal mines in West Virginia, that state has been in the news many times due to mining disasters. The thought of going several miles underground to work is a scary thought to most of us, but the hardworking people of West Virginia have learned to live with the dangers involved. Jesus’ death was the most significant event in history. It fueled a … [Read more...] about Why Did Jesus Have to Die on the Cross?
Children and the Joy of Christmas
Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child When I was growing up, most churches had some sort of a Christmas pageant every year. The average-sized church could pull together enough grammar school-aged kids to be the cast and fill all the roles: shepherds, wise men, angels, the innkeeper, and the various animals that we assume were in the stable that eventful night. The plum … [Read more...] about Children and the Joy of Christmas
5 Christmas Promises to Build Your Faith
In a letter to a friend, the eighteenth-century English poet Alexander Pope wrote his own beatitude: “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” It’s not Scripture, but anyone who survived 2020 can probably relate to this statement. When COVID-19 entered our world, it jolted our expectations and eroded the hope of many. Even Christians have … [Read more...] about 5 Christmas Promises to Build Your Faith
Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on December 25?
We often think of the Nativity as the “first Christmas.” But was it? It depends upon what is meant by the word Christmas. If we mean the birthday of Christ, then no other day is the first Christmas. But that’s not what the word Christmas actually means. It comes down to us from a Middle English term, Christemasse, the “Christ mass,” or Christ’s service of worship. But … [Read more...] about Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on December 25?
Moving Beyond Fear With Thanksgiving
According to one survey, the average person will spend approximately 43 days waiting on hold in their lifetime! That’s more than a month of our life that will be spent waiting for questions to be answered, problems to be solved, flights to be rebooked, or items to be ordered. But 43 days on hold seems insignificant compared to all the waiting 2020 has held. In the midst … [Read more...] about Moving Beyond Fear With Thanksgiving
Gratitude for Christians: A Thanksgiving Bible Study
With COVID-19 continuing to limit our gatherings, Thanksgiving will look different this year. Protecting family members with health concerns has taken priority over booking flights and hosting big dinners. Expectations for a day typically celebrated in the-more-the-merrier fashion will have to be reconciled with guidelines for social distancing and slowing the spread. … [Read more...] about Gratitude for Christians: A Thanksgiving Bible Study
4 Strategies for Confronting Spiritual Darkness on Halloween
Americans spent $9 billion on Halloween in 2018 with more than a third of that spending allocated to costumes. Top costumes for adults included witches, vampires, zombies, pirates, and Avengers characters. Children dressed as princesses, superheroes, Batman, Star Wars characters, and witches.1 Did you notice the costume that appears on both lists? Witches. With its … [Read more...] about 4 Strategies for Confronting Spiritual Darkness on Halloween
Celebrating Memorial Day in the Wake of COVID-19
Every year Memorial Day comes and goes and is often marked by parades, backyard picnics and the onset of warm summer days. But this Memorial Day, the pageantry will be limited with many of us around the United States still sheltering in place. Nevertheless, I want to remind Americans that it is still a day to pause and reflect on the sacrifice of those who have made us … [Read more...] about Celebrating Memorial Day in the Wake of COVID-19
The Undeniable Proof of Jesus’ Resurrection—Bible Study
If anyone ever lived in a day when people were blind to the meaning of life, it is today. That is one explanation for our culture’s inclination toward the many self-destructive activities that are prevalent in our world. The other reason, of course, is they are blinded by sin and have not found their purpose for living through Christ. Recognizing that this is the kind of … [Read more...] about The Undeniable Proof of Jesus’ Resurrection—Bible Study
The Resurrection Through the Lens of Hardship
The typical image of Easter is a pretty spring morning in the best matching pastel outfits mom could find, all while celebrating our Savior’s resurrection and hunting for eggs later that afternoon. This year, everyone from all walks of life has been finding a new normal, one where the phrase “social distancing” defines every decision. In this new normal, churches have … [Read more...] about The Resurrection Through the Lens of Hardship
Why Did God Choose Mary?
Why Mary? Mary herself must have wondered, Why am I a “favored woman”? Why me? Indeed, the reasons she was chosen are known only to God. But it is clear that she was no random selection. Though an ordinary small-town girl, she must be obedient and courageous. From her song (see Luke 1:46-55), we know that she was a woman of Scripture, a woman of faith. She must be a virgin, … [Read more...] about Why Did God Choose Mary?
Why Was Jesus Born in Bethlehem?
Bethlehem played host to the Nativity, an event that the world hardly noticed, yet changed the destiny of every human creature. As Ralph W. Sockman once phrased it, “The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable.” We imagine a silent night—but remember, the inns were full and celebrants must have roamed the streets. We imagine an obscure town—yet Bethlehem … [Read more...] about Why Was Jesus Born in Bethlehem?
The True Meaning of Easter and Seven Signs That Jesus Rose From the Dead
Every year thousands of people travel to the Italian Alps to ascend a mountain which passes through the “stations of the cross.” Eventually they come to the foot of an outdoor crucifix, and there they meditate on their faith. One day a tourist noticed a trail leading away from the cross. Determined to find out where it would lead, he fought through all the … [Read more...] about The True Meaning of Easter and Seven Signs That Jesus Rose From the Dead
In Everything Give Thanks
To give thanks is an action and rejoice is a verb and these things are not mere pulsing emotions. While I may not always feel joy, God asks me to give thanks in all things, because He knows that the feeling of joy begins in the action of thanksgiving. —Ann Voskamp1 Through the Lens of Thanksgiving We enjoy clearer vision when we look at life through the lens of … [Read more...] about In Everything Give Thanks