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The verse most highlighted, shared and bookmarked in the YouVersion Bible App in 2017 was Joshua 1:9, which says, “Have I not command you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you...

The flight path from mailbox to front door is well worn during the Christmas season. Little feet tear out of the car after school each day to see which toy catalog was delivered while they were gone. Inside those pages are toys that they never...

The Father lavishly loves us, but is also wise to withhold what He knows we cannot handle. Guilt and shame over gift-giving attacks from unprejudiced angles, but never from His. The balance of our heart’s intention lies within the reason we give. ...

Jesus instructed us “not to worry” (Matthew 6:31;34), yet that is what plagues us. Constantly pulled from one side of an over-commercialized holiday season to the other that denies the appropriation of giving gifts at all … it can be hard to know...

We are called to look for, find, and help each other—especially at Christmas. Paul helps us to understand the place from which we are motivated and able to give in fulfillment of others’ needs in Romans 13:13: “May the God of hope fill you with...

When looking to reflect and celebrate the Advent Season as a family, it’s important to keep some key elements of our devotional activities front and center. Christ is sole reason for Christmas; everything we do reminds, or causes us to reflect...

Christmas presents quickly become fruitcake cheesy and impractical unless we plan ahead to give heartfelt gifts this season. The point of Christmas is to move beyond materialistic lists that are advertised to us each year. When we rush to grab a...

Christmas can make us feel like we’re crazy. We abide in an ever-increasing “PC” society that refuses to give the holiday’s namesake it’s greeting. Commercialism threatens to cheapen the man that raised people from the dead and healed them...

There will be disappointed faces on Christmas morning because of the empty space under their Christmas tree. But that isn’t the depressing part of that reality. Failing to save money for Christmas might lend the best opportunity to leave our...

This is the society that we live in, and we have to find a way to unite in prayer for each other, especially at Christmastime. All families are challenged to maintain an unrealistic amount of patience with difficult family members at...

God created time, and the passage of it is no surprise of Him. The “new" era we are living in is a place He’s already seen. He welcomes our creative interpretation of His Word through song, especially at Christmastime. The traditional carols,...

Resentment is the byproduct of bitterness and unchecked anger. Resentment can transform from a behavioral reaction to a personality trait. However, when Christ stitches our wounds together, the bleeding stops and peace is restored.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21 NIV). A mathematical mind is a gift, and perhaps no one acknowledges that better than those who struggle to follow a simple budget. It can create a stressful environment...

“May the Road Rise Up to Meet You,” an Irish blessing often used as a prayer, has traveled throughout the centuries by musical composition, word of mouth, and even a popular cross-stitch pattern. Being of Irish decent, I once cross-stitched it,...

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV “I don’t have them,” she repeated. “Leave your sister...

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11 Advent is latin for “coming.” It’s a season of preparation, where we are reminded of the first coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and encouraged...

Out of the most humble circumstances, Jesus’s birth fulfilled specific and long-anticipated prophesies. The nativity story not only teaches us much about Jesus’ birth, but also about the man He is, and the love our Father has for all of us. Here...

Who was Mary Magdalene? Not every Gospel account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection focus on the same events and details, but all four attest that Mary witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. Her connection to Jesus was undeniable.

Recently, at a worship concert, one of the leaders welcomed the crowd to feel free to worship as we felt comfortable. For many, that meant hands in the air. For others, eyes closed. Still more clapped, sang along, and few sat at all throughout the...

For the grandparents who are missing milestones and everyday hugs from their grandkids, life is a little longer these days. Today we pray exponentially for a cure and freedom to move about freely again. But in the meantime, we pray for comfort.