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Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV

God must think I really need to develop some perseverance.

Lately, the trials just seem to come one right after another. First it was a back injury, then I had to put my dog of 13 years to sleep, then it was a car accident, then different things around the house keep breaking and it seems like they all cost at least $500…  ( Click for more )

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:11 NIV

Christmas is just a few days away and ask any child what they are most looking forward to and I can almost guarantee you the answer will involve "presents."

The tradition of giving gifts at this time of year started long ago with the visit by the Magi to see Jesus. They brought him gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh. In our mind these might not…  ( Click for more )

What does a hero look like?

A "hero" as defined by Merriam-Webster's online dictionary is "a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities; one that shows great courage."

I'm sure heroes aren't just limited to men. In fact, if we were to make a list of the heroes of our time, some names like Anne Frank, Helen Keller and Mother Teresa would make the list along with men like Martin Luther King Jr. and Billy Graham, as well as the men and women (past and present) in the armed forces.

Heroes aren't always famous nor do they always get a lot…  ( Click for more )

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."

Luke 1:38 NIV

"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

Luke 1:45 NIV

While it's nice to decorate for Christmas, have family gatherings, and exchange gifts, the true reason for this holiday is the birth of our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It's important this truth not get lost in the shuffle of all the busy activities we have planned over the next…  ( Click for more )

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance

Ecclesiastes 3:4 NIV

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4 NIV

Bright and early on June 12,1993, I was stirred from my sleep by a ringing telephone. It was my friend Debbie on the other end yelling, "We're having puppies!" Her dog Hailey had gone into labor and soon I would be the proud owner of a baby Westie puppy. I remember throwing on my clothes and racing over to her house to witness…  ( Click for more )

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father, Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

Matthew…  ( Click for more )

Jesus – You are exactly what I need, when I need it.

When I am hungry, you feed me.

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry…" – John 6:35a

When I am thirsty, you quench my thirst.

"…and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." – John 6:35b

When I need protection, you are my shield.

But you are a shield around me, O LORD; – Psalm 3:3a

When I am low, you lift me up.

you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. – Psalm 3:3b

When I am afraid,…  ( Click for more )

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him. Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts and he knows everything.

1 John 3:16-20…  ( Click for more )

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1 NIV

Throughout the first chapter of Genesis we read about Creation. How God took "nothing" and from it He created light. He separated that from darkness and gave us night and day. He created the earth and the sky. He divided the water from the land. He allowed the land to produce plants and trees. He put the moon and stars in the sky creating seasons and years. He filled the ocean with living creatures, put birds in the air, and created all the animals.…  ( Click for more )

But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."

Ruth 1:16-17 NIV

In the Old Testament, Ruth was known for her selfless devotion to her mother-in-law. Ruth, a Moabite, demonstrates her complete loyalty to this Israelite family…  ( Click for more )

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" asked the men. "He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be betrayed…  ( Click for more )

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalms 4:8 NIV

Lately I've been having a hard time sleeping. I know it stems from these horrible nightmares I'm having and now when it's time to go to bed, I dread it… even though I'm exhausted and need to sleep. It's created somewhat of a vicious cycle… I'm tired, I want to sleep, I lay down and I start getting anxious because I am afraid of the nightmares. Eventually I do drift off to sleep, but it's a restless sleep and just when I hit the deep sleep…  ( Click for more )

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' and I said, 'Here am I; send me.'" 6:8 NIV

Just how far are you willing to go to follow Christ? Literally – are you willing to go to a homeless shelter and feed the homeless? Are you willing to be a part of a prison ministry mentoring men and women who are incarcerated? Are you willing to work in the projects – take food or deliver toys to the numerous children who must live there – but not by choice? Are you willing to travel across the world to Africa…  ( Click for more )

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him Psalms 37:7a KJV

What does it mean to wait patiently for him? I always thought that waiting on the Lord was like being in a doctor's office: I, the one with the raging fever, must sit patiently until he, the doctor, is available to see me. But this psalm gives me a different picture of waiting.

Contrary to popular belief, waiting on the Lord is not a passive activity. It is a still, quiet activity. But it is directed, purposeful, and expectant. When we are waiting on the Lord, we remain in our present circumstance and await…  ( Click for more )

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV

As I finish up the last of 3 parts based on a Passion to Know Christ, I want to talk about what it means to have a passion to serve Him. The apostle Paul had an incredible passion to serve Christ. Despite experiencing hunger, cold and exposure, prison, beatings, and shipwrecks, Paul was willing to endure them simply to be a servant of Christ. Why do you think he was not just willing to endure these things, but was able? After having seen the…  ( Click for more )

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 53:5 NIV

I'm sure by now many of you if not most of you have seen The Passion of The Christ – a movie directed and produced by Mel Gibson. If not, I urge you to go and see this film. If you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, hopefully as a result of seeing the movie you will consider it and begin asking questions and seeking answers. I challenge you to seek out a church that desires to answer your questions…  ( Click for more )

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ Philippians 3:7-8 (NIV)

Passion is defined as a strong, enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance.

As a believer I'm afraid many of us become complacent in our spiritual walk - content simply to walk in the knowledge that when we die we will go to heaven.…  ( Click for more )

Jesus lover of my soul Jesus I will never let You go You've taken me from the miry clay You've set my feet upon a rock And now I know

I love You I need You Though my world may fall I'll never let You go My Savior my closest friend I will worship You Until the very end

© 1992 Daniel Grul, John Ezzy, Steve McPherson/Hillsongs

I'm sure I've heard this song sung many times before, but recently I heard it on the radio and it was as though I was hearing it for the first time. It struck me that Jesus loves me with a love like no other. He…  ( Click for more )

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:3-8a NIV

How many times have you been to a wedding and heard this passage of scripture read? I'd have to say dozens and dozens.…  ( Click for more )

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 4:28 NIV

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 NIV

One of the greatest responsibilities we have is encourage and uplift others in our circle of influence. Whether we're parents, bosses, friends or leaders, we have an obligation to help others to live up to their full potential.

And whether you realize it not, with everything we say and…  ( Click for more )