ADVENT REFLECTION VERSE Titus 3:4-5 (ESV) “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy...
ADVENT REFLECTION VERSE Day 11: Philippians 2:6-7 (ESV) “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Consider how Jesus, though...
ADVENT REFLECTION VERSE Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of...
ADVENT REFLECTION VERSE John 3:16 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Reflect on the depth of God’s love as revealed in Jesus’ sacrifice. How does knowing that God loves...
ADVENT REFLECTION VERSE Luke 2:14 (ESV) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Write about the peace that Jesus brings to the world and how you have experienced His peace personally. How can you be a peacemaker in your...
ADVENT REFLECTION VERSE Matthew 1:21 (ESV) “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Jesus came to save His people from their sins. Reflect on your own journey of salvation and how Jesus has saved you. In...
ADVENT REFLECTION VERSE Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV) “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Consider the reality of being...
ADVENT REFLECTION VERSE 2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV) “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” Reflect on the indescribable gift of Jesus Christ. Write about the things you are grateful for, particularly the spiritual gifts and blessings that have come from knowing...
ADVENT REFLECTION VERSE Matthew 2:10-11 (ESV) “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him...
ADVENT REFLECTION VERSE John 1:14 (ESV) “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Reflect on the significance of God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. How does...
ADVENT REFLECTION VERSE Luke 2:11 (ESV) “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Consider what it means that Jesus came into the world as the Savior. How has His saving work affected your life? Spend time writing about...
One of my favorite traditions as a kid was singing “O Come O Come Emmanuel” in the choir. Let me paint a picture for you: The high school kids would sing this a cappella, holding a candle, walking into the auditorium. We would surround the audience and sing. It was...
How do you begin comprehending what Jesus' work on the cross, burial, and resurrection did for humanity? You must understand the severity of sin. To begin to understand the severity of sin, you look to God the Father and all He did to make a way for us to come back...
Where is the Easter story in the Old Testament? How does it prepare Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice on Easter Sunday? Deuteronomy, Leviticus, and Numbers may be some of the most challenging books to read in the Bible (and, honestly, they are often skipped in...
When I was a kid, I used to mix all the sodas at the fast food restaurants we went to, and it was a wonderful concoction of sugary heaven. Yet, sometimes, the recipe wasn’t quite right, and since the liquids were already mixed, the whole experiment was poured down the...
Do you have your favorite blanket that you love snuggling up with on a chilly morning with your cup of coffee or tea and devotions? I do! I’ve always had a blanket that I favored over others. But God has given us his Son to be our ultimate and forever Comforter....
In healthcare, patients can present themselves at the clinic with an open wound or laceration. The provider will examine the wound, perform a debridement to remove foreign objects, and cleanse and suture the area. After which, we sometimes apply a thin layer of...
Years ago, I was invited to a Passover dinner. First, I am used to a complete Italian dinner at events. I blame my Grandparents for this, so when I attended Passover, I expected this HUGE feast with everything. If you are unfamiliar with Italian feasts, let me put it...
We are lucky we live in freedom. We can come and go and do what we want. This is worldly freedom. What is spiritual freedom for us? The Israelites weren't so lucky in the Old Testament - they cried out for freedom from slavery -and the Lord delivered them! Yet, as...
Waiting for an answer in these "microwave" times can be difficult; we tend to want an answer right now. We want to know if the cancer is back. Will we get the job to feed our family, or did we get chosen to adopt the baby? The silence can be deafening. Psalm 44:23...
Brokenness is everywhere, and little has changed since first-century Palestine, approximately 2,020 years ago. Broken relationships, broken families, chronic illnesses, natural disasters, political and social unrest—yes, there is technology, modern medicine,...