Luke 2:1-20 Of all the characters in the Christmas story, the lowly shepherds were the most amazing to me. Why? Shepherds were outcasts among the people. They were considered “unclean”, and therefore not welcome in the temple services – other than to bring the lambs, of course! But God used them as the first people…….Read More
Zephaniah 3:14-20 In this obscure passage from Zephaniah, God made an incredible promise to His people: “I will bring you home.” The writer is referring to days of King Josiah in Judah, but if we will allow them, they will give us a fresh promise for today. “Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O…….Read More
Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13 The Lord is coming. His arrival is so close we can almost taste it. The psalmist invites us to sing and rejoice at the universal reign of God. The nations witness it. All of creation—heaven and earth, field and forest, sea and dry land—are called to join in praise of the Lord……..Read More
Luke 1:46-55 After the baby inside of Elizabeth leaped for joy at the sound of Mary’s voice, Mary broke out in song, praising God for His gracious actions to redeem the world. “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of…….Read More
John 3:16-17 Someone said John 3:16 is the whole Bible in one verse! No doubt it still is the most quoted verse in the Bible, and it does contain the essential elements of God’s plan for our redemption. When it is read in the context of our Lord’s conversation with Nicodemus, we can get a…….Read More
Luke 1:26-38 A very popular preacher likes to use the word “favor” to indicate the release of God’s blessings. He is prone to say, “We must get ourselves in the place of God’s favor if we want to receive His blessings.” While that might make a good motivational message, it implies that we must do…….Read More
A Warning to Our Nation Wayne J. Edwards, Pastor Last Tuesday, President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act, making same-sex marriages legal nationwide. The President said it was a “victory for freedom in America,” that there was “nothing more decent, more dignified and more American, than what they were doing in signing that bill…….Read More
Isaiah 43:1-7 It’s amazing how three words can change our whole attitude of life, especially when they are said by the right people at the right time, and we know they are true. Those three words are “I love you,” and when they are conveyed to us through the Word of God, they have the…….Read More
THE LIGHTING OF THE ANGEL CANDLE THE CANDLE OF LOVE Read John 3:16-17 As we re-light the two purple candles and the pink candle, we remember the meaning of Advent is coming” or “visit”! We are preparing for the Advent of Christ at Christmas; walking through those historical steps, and taking our time so we…….Read More
Lamentations 3:22-26 This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope! It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not; they are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. What makes these words so meaningful is to know that they were spoken as a lament, bemoaning the…….Read More