Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Psalm 40:5 REFERENCE Psalm 40:1-5 David captured in an inadequate way, the essence of God’s goodness towards us when He said, “Many.” He must have been overwhelmed […]

To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3   REFERENCE Isaiah 61:1-7 As we end the year, regardless of the good or bad […]

Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk […]

Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go? How can I destroy you like Admah or demolish you like Zeboiim? My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows. No, I will not unleash my fierce anger. I will not completely destroy Israel, for I am God and not a mere mortal… Hosea 11:8-9 REFERENCE Hosea […]

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” ~ Luke 2:23-24 REFERENCE Luke 2:8-16 The wonder of the person of Christ is here revealed on the date of His birth – heaven and earth ‘kissed,’ and angels and shepherds […]

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity…” ~ Ephesians 2:14-15a REFERENCE Ephesians 2:11-18 In the 1800s in France, a clergyman asked a poet member of his parish, Placide Cappeau, to help him pen a poem for the […]

“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” ~ Matthew 2:11 REFERENCE Matthew 2:1-12 You would most likely remember a Christmas service where three boys (perhaps, yourself), […]

“Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary…you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest…” – Luke 1:30-32 REFERENCE Luke 1:26-38 Although not a traditional hymn, “Mary Did You know” […]

“O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” ~ Philips Brooks “O Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are but a small […]

My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice – indeed, I myself.  Proverb 23:15 REFERENCE Proverbs 23:15&16 Yesterday, we saw the value and virtue of wisdom as extolled through the pages of the bible. It says, “Wisdom is better than strength…,” “it is better than weapons of war.” “Wisdom is better than rubies, […]