Each Christmas we reflect on a very special story surrounding the birth of our Lord Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12). It's the account of the "wise men" who diligently followed a star with the expectation that they were going to find the newborn King of the Jews. They persevered until they found Him. When they did, they rejoiced, offered gifts, and worshipped Him! - Wise Men Still Seek Him.
As we're rounding the bend toward Christmas, time seems to speed up with all the things we need to get done. This is when we need to slow down and remember what the fuss is all about (Luke 2:8-12). - The True Meaning of Christmas.
Jesus taught us to "turn the other cheek" and to love our enemies. However, Paul instructs us that sometimes we need to confront for the sake of restoration. When is it OK to confront situations? - When It Is Time To Confront?
God has placed dreams in your heart (Ephesians 2:10). How do you get those dreams out? Let's take a look at a wonderful example. His name is Joseph! - Your God Given Dream.
There was man named Haman who had set his heart on the destruction of the Jewish people. However, God had a plan, a young Jewish lady named Esther. She was posed with this question, "Maybe you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" - For Such A Time As This.
The scripture tells us (Romans 5:8) that while we were sinners God loved us. How much more, as His very own children, can we run into His arms at any time and find the mercy and grace we need (Hebrews 4:16) - Running To God's Love.
The Apostle Paul made a powerful statement to the Romans when he declared, "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Did you know that you continually carry a sanctuary of God's love with you wherever you go? - God's Love Inside You.
The Apostle Paul expressed a Christlike love for the nation of Israel when he declared (Romans 9:2-3), "My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them." - God's Love For Israel. Paul was speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as he was expressing the heart of God's amazing love for the nation of Israel. - God's Love For Israel.
The Apostle John exhorts us to ponder something (1 John 3:1-2) as he declares, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" Have you ever stopped and considered this amazing truth? - The Father Heart of God's Love.
The Psalmist cries out with wonder and declares (Psalm 144:3-4), "LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?" There is an element of mystery in God's love for us. It's in the solving of the mystery that we discover our value to God - The Mystery of God's Love.
We've been exploring the various ways the Bible shows us that we can grow in God's love. There is prayer, revelation, acting in love, getting spiritually minded, and the very definition of love found in 1 Corinthians 13. However, there is another powerful way that God communicates truth to our hearts. Matthew 13:3 states, "Jesus taught them many things by using stories, parables that would illustrate spiritual truths." - God's Love Stories.
The Bible reveals to us an amazing truth regarding the relationship between fear and God's perfect love. The Apostle John wrote (1 John 4:18), "Perfect love expels all fear...he who fears has not been made perfect in love." We've been told repeatedly that we must face our fears to overcome them, but what if the real answer is to face God's perfect love? - God's Love Expels All Fear.
