Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel, which means ’God is with us.’ Matthew 1:23 (NLT) Christmas is in the rearview mirror.   The tree has been hauled away and the decorations packed in boxes. Returns have been made and gifts are…

Commit everything you do to the Lord; trust Him, and He will help you. Psalm 37:5 (NLT) If you’re a regular reader you know I don’t believe in coincidences. I like to call them God-incidences because I believe it’s one of the way God guides us. When something seems like a coincidence my radar goes up to…

My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. Proverbs 3:1 (NLT) Are you ready for a challenge?   I have been promoting scripture memorization for years and the time has come to challenge you. Along with Beth Moore’s Living Proof Ministries blog, I’d like us to memorize…

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:1-3 (NLT) ‘Tis the season for year-end reviews and New Year resolutions. News summaries portray a…

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 (NLT) I absolutely love the beauty of our world. I love landscapes of forested snow capped peaks as much as ocean sunrises. I enjoy a mountaintop view as well as one from the valley. While we notice the heights and depths…

They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11-12 (CEB) We know the names of these gifts well even if we can’t describe or identify myrrh.  …

And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world – from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.…

I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. Genesis 12:2 (NLT) Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. James 1:17 (NIV) What if re-gifting was encouraged and became the…

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:22-23 (NLT) On the first Sunday of Advent, my church lights a candle for the hope that Jesus’ birth brings (other…

Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8-9 (NIV) I’m fascinated by the original meaning of Biblical words. Andy Lee, one of my favorite authors, feeds my curiosity in her Word Wednesday…