A Season of Silence
Read: Luke 1:57-66 All who heard [these things] laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him. (v. 66) Have you ever had a time when you could not speak clearly? Perhaps you lost your voice for a few days with a simple […]
Leaping for Joy
Read: Luke 1:34-45 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. (v. 44) As you approach Thanksgiving and Christmas, how are you feeling? Perhaps you’re looking forward to extra time with family, a holiday tradition, time off work, or a special church service. Young […]
John’s Purpose
Read: Luke 1:16-17 He will go before him . . . to make ready for the Lord a people prepared. (v. 17) Do you believe that God has a purpose and plan for your life? He does. Consider these words from Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD.” God made us […]
Set Apart
Read: Luke 1:5-16 For he will be great before the Lord. (v. 15) Imagine that you are Zechariah, a respected priest enjoying a long marriage to an equally respected spouse, but unable to have a child. You’ve prayed again and again that God would allow your wife to conceive. You’re going about your work in the […]
The Communion of Saints
Read: Philippians 4:21-23 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. (v. 22) On Thanksgiving Day, Christians gather in churches to thank God for their freedoms, including the freedom to worship. It’s something believers in the United States and Canada often take for granted. But even as you prepare to celebrate this holiday, it’s […]
Generous Giving
Read: Philippians 4:14-19 A fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. (v. 18) In this season, there are many prompts to be generous. Many churches hold special collections for ministries or missions, and it’s also the time when food pantries collect a majority of their donations for the year. But Paul encourages us to […]
Developing Endurance
Read: Philippians 4:10-13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (v. 13) My friend Clarke was a member of the Canadian triathlon team and trained for the 2012 Olympics. Every day, he woke up at 5:00 a.m. to swim a mile. In the afternoon, he biked 100 kilometers. I once asked him if […]
Practicing Discernment
Read: Philippians 4:8-9 If there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (v. 8) If we’re honest, we’ll probably have to admit that much of what we listen to or watch does little to sustain us spiritually. In fact, social media and commercial television is designed to make us […]
Practicing Daily Prayer
Read: Philippians 4:4-7 In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (v. 6) Today’s verses from Philippians are famous, and like any familiar passage, repetition can sap their power. But Paul reminds us of something incredible. Christians do not need to make elaborate sacrifices or seek the mediation […]