Jesus and Santa Claus are NOT the Same!

Now we’ll begin a closer look at the Christmas story as we spend this time of year focusing on the birth of Jesus.  Most of the Christmas story is contained in Luke’s gospel.  It is Luke’s gospel where we begin, just a little earlier than you might expect.  Let’s begin with the beginning of the gospel of Luke, chapter 1 verses 1-4: Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them […]

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Christmas Starts in Genesis

I apologize for not posting anything the past two days.  I guess I just didn’t have anything to say….I know, that is very hard to believe isn’t it? This morning I’d like to start a series of Christmas devotionals running through…well….Christmas.  I always like to read through the Christmas story at this time of year and if you join with me, we’ll walk through the journey together.  I’m always anxious to read any comments you have…I think it adds to the entire process of doing this together.  Before we get to the New Testament Christmas story, I wanted to begin […]

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Don’t Become “Lion Food”

In 1 Peter 5, in the middle of some words on humility, Peter writes the following verse:  8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.   We are told that the devil is like a lion who is looking for some lunch.  Satan is not some passive little “guy” in a red leotard with a pitchfork in his hand.  No, he is actively seeking to ruin the lives of God’s creation.  He is actively walking around, tempting and luring people away from the things of God and the person […]

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Peter’s Perspective on a “Death Benefit”

Do you fear death?  Do you think of death as something to be avoided at all costs?  Though this is often how our culture thinks of it, this attitude is not at all what the believer should have about death.  The Bible is full of truth about how death should not be feared by the follower of Jesus Christ.  The word of God speaks often and clearly about the “benefit” of death…how death frees us from this world and allows us to enter fully into the glory of our salvation in Jesus Christ.  Peter is making a comment on the […]

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A Necessary Apology

Most of us have done something wrong, offered an apology and heard, “there is no need for an apology”.  But we thought there was a need and so we made an apology.  An apology is, in some ways, a defense.  When you apologize for something you say “you’re sorry” but there’s usually more to it.  There is usually some type of defense of your action.  “I’m sorry that I yelled at you…I’ve had a rough day”.  The defense is the statement, “I’ve had a rough day”.  It’s your reason for why you yelled. In 1 Peter chapter 3, Paul says […]

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Something to REALLY Be Thankful For!

At this time of you we turn our thoughts to being thankful.  I enjoyed reading all of the posts from Facebook friends listing the things and people for which they were thankful.  I believe that expressing thanksgiving is a very healthy, spiritual exercise for all of us…and we all need exercise after yesterday’s calorie consumption! Today I began 1 Peter and was overwhelmed by how he begins this letter, especially as it relates to thanksgiving.  Let’s read it together:  3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a […]

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Thankful for Finishing Well

It’s Thanksgiving morning and most of us are thinking about “starting”.  Starting to get the casseroles ready, starting the turkey, starting to watch the parade, starting the ride to Grandma’s house and perhaps starting to get ready for football.  While we are thinking about starting, I’ll talk a little bit about finishing.  Well, actually the apostle Paul is talking about finishing well as he writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy chapter 4.  Paul is in prison, near the end of his life and he writes these words:  7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have […]

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Giving Thanks for the Word of God

It is the day before “Thanksgiving” and I thought I’d talk a little bit about being thankful today and the next couple of days.  in 2 Timothy Paul writes a passage that I recommend everyone memorize.  It is chapter 3, verses 16-17:  16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. What a great promise that we have for which to be thankful!  God has given us His word, which is profitable or beneficial for so many things.  Four […]

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Doing Right When Others Do Wrong

We all have times in our lives when others “do us wrong”.  Or, we are involved in situations and circumstances when those we know are doing wrong to someone else.  What do we do?  If you’ve ever asked that question, the apostle Paul gives godly advice to Timothy that we can apply ourselves.  In chapter 2 of 2 Timothy this is what Paul writes about dealing with those who are in opposition to us:  24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if […]

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A View of Life Through the Bars

Today I started 2 Timothy, probably the apostle Paul’s last letter that we have preserved under the inspiration of God.  This letter was written to a disciple of Paul named Timothy.  Paul wrote this letter from jail…while he was anticipating his death.  The location and circumstances of Paul’s letter makes the content of the letter even more amazing.  One couldn’t expect a letter of encouragement from someone in prison, but that is what 2 Timothy is about, encouragement and exhortation.  One of the most powerful passages in this first chapter is found in verse 12.  Here it is:  “For this […]

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