What Did You Expect?
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down…
Christmas–“A Military Maneuver”
Pastor Tommy Nelson, of Denton Bible Church in Texas, gave a sermon to his church for Christmas, 1988, entitled “Jesus’ View of Christmas.” The text for this powerful sermon was an unlikely one . . . Luke 11:21-26. Those verses are several chapters away from the traditional Christmas story which we all know and love, Luke 2:1-20: “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed . . . “ I was intrigued. How could verses about Jesus and Satan give us a message for Christmas? Pastor Nelson began his sermon with the story of his father-in-law—a veteran of the World War II war in the Pacific—injured in battle. Pastor Nelson explained why his father-in-law is so patriotic . . . and challenges us to see patriotism from the heart of a soldier. To one who fights bravely and sacrificially, American patriotism means “the price paid”—suffering experienced for victory in battle . . . and the suffering of battle buddies killed. In other words, patriotism from the side of the donor . . . not the recipient.
Be Still This Christmas
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say, “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and…
Her Favorite Christmas Present
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” —Hebrews 11:1 It was her favorite Christmas present, she said. Perhaps it…
Four Christmas Promises
“The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”—John 1:14 We all love the drama and…
Christmas Presence
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” —2 Corinthians 9:15 Is this the Bible verse that you normally think of when you think of Christmas? Probably not . . . . Traditionally we go to the second chapter of Luke and begin with, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.” (Luke 2:1) But it makes a wonderful study to look throughout the Bible for verses which point to the coming of God’s gift of Jesus Christ!
The Jake DeShazer Story
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. Editor’s Note: December 7th is the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. In remembrance of that world-changing event, this devotion is posted to tell one of God’s great redemptive…
Laughter — It’s Good Medicine!
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” — Proverbs 17:22 “All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has…
Pilgrims Deployed
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD . . . – Psalm 33:12 Each year we celebrate Thanksgiving in the tradition of the Plymouth colony’s harvest at the…
Thanksgiving Reminders
Excellent or Praiseworthy is posted on Monday and Thursday nights. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Our family has a tradition of gathering…