Don’t SettleThe very first Christmas gift was Jesus himself. That gift of the Messiah had such an impact on the shepherds that they felt compelled to spread the joyful news to everyone they met after encountering him. This was the lasting hope and joy that they couldn’t just keep to[Read More…]

Accept Peace“A great company of the heavenly host appeared … praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests’” (Luke 2:13–14).The peace the angels proclaimed wasn’t a proclamation of world peace or a declaration of the end[Read More…]

Are You Ready?Christmas is a time of waiting, watching, and expectation. We wait for friends and family to arrive. We stay up late listening for the rumble of a car in the driveway, or the announcement of an airplane at the gate. Children try to keep droopy eyes open to[Read More…]

He Forgives – Luke 23:34-37“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing,” are perhaps the twelve most improbable words we could ever imagine. Jesus had been beaten and scourged and hung on a cross, although he was innocent of the charges against him. And as he[Read More…]

Be the TempleIn Luke 21:5-19 people were talking about the temple, its beautiful stones, and its gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus looked at it and said, “The days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” Jesus is talking about more[Read More…]

Already Saints – Luke 6:20-31Luke’s “Sermon on the Plain” sounds a lot like Matthew’s “Sermon on the Mount.” But there are some important differences. For one thing, it’s shorter. But one of the most important things that Luke mentions is where Jesus tells his disciples to love their enemies.Loving our[Read More…]

A Revolution of FaithGrace is a tough subject because we expect it, or even demand it. But we’re not very gracious when other people get it instead of us. Speeding tickets are a great example. An overwhelming majority of us are upset when someone else manages to get out of[Read More…]

Luke 18:9-14A Pharisee and a Tax Collector went to the temple in Jerusalem to pray, but they went there for very different reasons. The Pharisee was at the temple to show others how good he was. And when he arrived, he walked up to the front and stood before his[Read More…]

Pray on His PromisesIt’s easy to give up on dreams, give up on miracles, give up on promises. When our prayers aren’t answered right away, too often we lose heart, lose patience, and lose faith. Like a tire with a slow leak, it happens without us even knowing it until[Read More…]