The Power of God And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. Luke 1:35 God does not stir up His power the way...

Anything Important Bears Repeating Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4 The classic description of God found is the Scriptures first in Exodus 34:6.  “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,” says the Lord...

To Convict and to Comfort Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.  A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare...

Off With Their Heads Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered.  Acts 7:52 For all of our laments about the state of the world today, there is really...

Good News Network “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 There is a problem when you watch too much cable or network news.  When we spend so much time watching all of the terrible things going on in the world,...

Thinking About the Right Things “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these...

Sometimes…Even Pastors Consider Quitting Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.  1 Corinthians 15:58 Sometimes it is the long and seemingly pointless meeting.  Sometimes it is the anonymous letter.  Sometimes it is...

Remembering Saints and Friends Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 A faithful, veteran pastor once noted, “When you stay somewhere long enough, you stop burying members and start burying friends.”  As I get older, All Saints Day is a much more meaningful day...

The Ongoing Reformation: The Word of God "The word of the Lord remains forever."  And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:25 The Reformation was not really one event (i.e. 95 Theses), but it included a series of events that brought about reformation within...

The Best Part of Conferences “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 There is a scene in the television show, The West Wing, where the President’s chief of staff, Leo McGarry, tells a story to one of his staff who...