Our talents, intelligence, education–whatever might set us apart or above others–is a source of pride. We have a very difficult time controlling that pride. In fact, we don’t control it. In this pride, we might even think we had something to do with becoming a Christian. But the Bible says otherwise. Our faith in Christ…

Having a sense of urgency is often a good thing. A sense of urgency tells us that there is something important to prepare for, and we had better get to it. Jesus teaches us today about having a sense of urgency concerning our repentance. It is through repentance that we are saved from our sins.…

Did your life seem to be following a certain pattern: a  humble beginning, early growing pains, the good years, retirement or approaching retirement? Did your life, however, suddenly get interrupted by a  hardship, even misery, that changed everything? Did your former happiness disappear? Was it hard to get back? Do you know that the Lord allows such times to…

We have a love for glorious things. God is glorious, but a glory all his own, and overpowering to sinners. If he were to reveal his glory to us as we yet live in our sinful corruption we would be destroyed. How shall we ever face him if this is our situation? The answer is:…

The Lord Jesus came into the world, with net in hand, to make a great catch happen. It was a catch not of fish he came for, but of human sinners, drowning in the sea of their sin, and in dire need of rescue. Since we did not have the strength or wisdom to climb…

We all want to be gifted in some way. But, in our sin, we want to be known for that gift, and receive accolades for it. But the Lord reminds us that the gifts we are given are to be used to glorify him as we serve our neighbor. To put it another way: The Lord…

Jesus, God’s Son in human form, came into the world to bring us the blessings that save us from our sins: forgiveness of sins, by which all we owe to God is paid in the blood of Jesus, and inheritance of the kingdom of heaven. We certainly do not deserve these blessings, but Jesus is…

We are on the look out for miracles. Miracles entertain us. We want to miracles to help us. We pray to God, “Send me a sign, a miracle, to tell me you are with me and watching over me.” The miracles has been sent: God the Father sent his Son, the almighty, in sinless human…

The angel Gabriel was sent to Mary, the Virgin, to announce to her that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to God’s Son in sinless human form. Did she understand? Who could fully understand? But the Holy Spirit enabled her not only to conceive, but also joyfully believe in God her Savior. So we also believe…

The burdens we carry are many. Our enemy the devil is strong. We need to hear the Word of the Lord which promises, ” I am with you.” He, indeed, is with us, as Christmas testifies. He sent his Son into the world, in sinless human form, to bear our burdens, and carry our sins…