Most people don’t understand that our worship affects others. Many people choose a church for what they can get from a church service. By definition, worship is “the reverent love and devotion accorded to God or the ceremonies, prayers or other religious forms by which this love is expressed.”[1] So, by definition, worship is what …
In our youth-orientated culture, we rarely see the value of the older generation. This is unfortunate because the older generation has much-accrued wisdom. Many times, the potential contributions of older folk are ignored. At the time of Jesus, the Jewish culture highly respected their elders. As Mary and Joseph went to the Temple to obey …
It won’t be easy. Would you continue a task if you received this warning? If the mission isn’t important, probably not. But if the job is critical, you would buckle down and move forward despite the hardships. As Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph, they were amazed at what he said. Jesus will fulfill the prophecies. …
Jesus rejected? How could that be? The people during that first Christmas were anxiously looking forward to a Messiah. Why would they reject Him? They would reject Him because Jesus would come in an unexpected way. The scholars of the day thought they had it all figured out from the prophecies. First of all, they …
God had chosen to work through His nation of Israel, the Jews, so they could be a light to the Gentiles, the non-Jews. The nation of Israel was at the crossroads of the ancient world. God placed them there to influence all the people traveling through the country. Moses had let the people in on …
In this week’s story, Simeon seems to be hearing from God for others. Mary and Joseph had come to the Temple to perform the firstborn’s redemption and the mother’s purification after the birth of Jesus. There they meet Simeon, and he recognizes that Jesus is the Messiah. Who was Simeon? Luke 2: 25 At that time, …
After the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph followed the Mosaic law concerning a newborn. I think they saw their obedience as worship. Both Mary and Joseph had supernatural encounters as God communicated with them before Jesus was born. They recognized the greatness of God and responded in the way they knew by following the …
God’s plans are amazing, an example is the creation of this world and all that is in it. Take time today to look around your natural world. Look at the trees, the clouds in the sky, the stars at night, and especially the people in your life. Think about what an amazing Creator we have. …
You may have heard it said, Jesus is our light and salvation. What does this really mean? Do you have a night light in your home to guide your steps if you get up in the night? Light is amazing because a small light can be seen for miles. Stars in the heavens are visible …
When you think of being led what comes to your mind? Being led is wanting to follow. You also may think about the relationship they have with each other. What is the Lord revealing to you as you read about being led by the Spirit? Why is being led sometimes difficult? The Scriptures compares people …