Christian Living Resources, Bible Study Tools, Jesus Christ

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son... that we might receive the full rights of sons (Gal. 4:4-5). Christmas at my house meant preparing for the worst. The worst didn't always come, but you couldn't be too careful.

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing (Zeph. 3:17). Prophecies like Isaiah 7:14 gave the Israelites hope that God would not forget them.

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come (Heb. 13:14). Believers in Christ are soldiers engaged in war. Deep within us there is a longing that nothing can suppress. We want to be home.

Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light (Rom. 13:12) The first purple Advent candle is about to be lit. The once dark wreath will shine unevenly with one solitary light.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial (James 1:12). It’s funny how our Christian walk can mirror the experience of setting up holiday decorations.

If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live (Rom. 8:13). Why would Jesus talk about hell in the same breath that he talks about how to deal with sin if he didn't mean to teach that our eternal destiny hangs in the balance?

Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding (Prov. 2:2). I hope that I messed up so you don’t have to. Seek God for true wisdom because he’s got the monopoly on that.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching (2 Tim. 3:16-17). I think we are sometimes too quick to underestimate a child's ability to understand the truths of the Bible.

How great is your goodness... (Psalm 31:19). It’s good to have a day that reminds us to be thankful. The problem is that’s usually how long it lasts.

I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving (Ps. 69:30). Don’t become one of the nine lepers who were so happy to be cured that they forgot who cured them.

Great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave (Ps. 86:13). We can learn a lot about what God values by looking at the list in Proverbs 6 of things he hates.

Just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving (Col. 2:7). I shared with the kids several things I was thankful for. But it wasn't until the next day that I realized the inadequacy of my list.

Christians who are poor should be glad, for God has honored them. (James 1:9). Let me encourage you to take the love of Christ with you and accept the difficult challenge of bringing it to the wealthy this Thanksgiving.

Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring welling up to eternal life (John 4:14). After nearly two years and $34 million worth of renovation, the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool was finally filled and ready to be enjoyed by tourists once again. But not for long...

"Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Luke 5:8). There have been times in my life when I've wanted God to just go away.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4). Friends and family have been great to me upon the passing of my grandfather, but most of all, Scripture has been comforting me.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven (Eccl. 3:1). Ecclesiastes reminds us that God designed life to run in cycles, in seasons. Yet how often do we approach this life with expectations of perpetual summer?

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three (1 Cor. 13:13). These virtues are superior inoculations against whatever goes on around us, the very infusions that make possible a mission of bringing joy, mercy and laughter into the world, that elevate "I can endure all things" above a mere platitude.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you (1 Peter 5:7). Coming home on Election Day to a warm home and sweet melodies made me think, "We're going to be okay."

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands. (1 Thess. 4:11). Aim high? Sounds more like settling for anonymity. What could Paul be getting at?