Now with the end of 2022 in sight, I passionately read, again, to you Jeremiah 29: 11 – “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Luke 2: 8-20 A six-year-old grandson loved dogs….
It’s From God
Matthew 1: 18-25 A recurring Bible verse I’ve employed the last couple Sundays is Jeremiah 29: 11 – “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Promises are given to specific individuals in the…
The Lord Is with You
Luke 1: 26-38 Two boys were walking home from church and talking about their Sunday school lesson. They were studying the temptation of Christ in the wilderness. Little Peter said to his friend John, “Do you believe that stuff about the Devil? Do you really think there is a Devil?” John looked at him and…
Can I Be Sure?
Luke 1: 5-25 A five-year-old daughter looked at a calendar and asked, “How many be-good days ’til Christmas?” She made promises undoubtedly to be good in those days leading to Christmas. In these three Sundays leading to Christmas, I’ll share messages about three of the characters in the birth story of Jesus. God made promises…
I Want to Please the Lord
Colossians 1: 9-14 Paul wrote and we heard it this morning, “We have not stopped praying for you. . . ” A mother was teaching her three-year-old daughter the Lord’s Prayer. For several evenings at bed time she repeated it after her mother. One night she said she was ready to try it on her…
You’re A Participant
Luke 21: 5-19 This past week most if not all of us participated in the honorable practice of voting for candidates for office. In fact, we can participate in campaigns and elections in several ways in addition to voting. It was time for the politicians to go campaigning in the backwoods and rural areas of…
But We Have Hope
Luke 20: 27-38 Lucy said to her friend, “What happened when you showed your new engagement ring to women in the office. Did they admire it?” Lois said, “Admire it? Four of them recognized it!” A Texan, anticipating an upcoming wedding, told his future son-in-law he wanted his daughter to have her great grandmother’s diamond…
Given Sight & Given Stature (All the More)
Luke 19: 1-10 The Baptist preacher and author, Dr . Eugene Brice wrote many years ago, “According to Christian tradition, the gospel of Matthew was written by a tax collector, and if this is true, the clarity and the simplicity of the gospel comes as a surprise to anyone who reads it. Imagine, a gospel…
We All Have a Way to Go
Luke 18: 9-14 Mark Twain said many years ago, “I don’t know of a single foreign product that enters this country untaxed except the answer to prayer.” A kindergarten class went to the fire station for a tour and some instruction in fire safety. The firefighter was explaining what to do in case of a…
Day and Night
Luke 18: 1-8 A judge in a Kentucky court asked, “Colonel Beaufort, according to my records you never served a day in the army. Can you tell me how you came to be called Colonel?” The witness replied, “Well, your honor, it’s like the ‘Honorable’ in front of your name. It don’t mean nothin’.” Lucille…
Psalm 102 in The Message 