“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God…your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).Paul reminds us here it is hope that enables us to persevere. That is important to know! Here’s why: One of the strongest temptations Christians face is to give up and quit. Perhaps you have been struggling for ...  Read More

There is a story that makes me smile about a writer, named Dorothy Parker, who was living in an apartment in New York City at the time. A friend returning from a vacation in Florida showed up on her doorstep with the unusual gifts of two baby alligators. Not knowing what to do with them and having to go to work that day, she put the two small alligators in her bathtub. When Parker returned from wo...  Read More

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).In this passage, the Israelites were in transition, moving from forty years of wandering in the wilderness to entering the long-awaited Promised Land. That is what it meant for them. For us today, we find ourselves in the first days of a New Year. This time of...  Read More

Let’s admit it. This is the time of the year we think about New Year’s Resolutions. New Year’s Resolutions offer the promise of a new beginning. People look at their lives and resolve to do better…in all kinds of areas. I am going to spend more time with family. I am going to start having a quiet time. I am going to start going to church. I am going to quit smoking. I am going to start working out...  Read More

I am excited over our Christmas Eve Morning & Evening Services tomorrow! I look forward to this every year! This year in our December 24th Evening Service, we will open with one of my all-time Christmas favorites: Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come. Here is why I like it so much: Joy is an essential part of the Christmas season—and for good reason! The first announcement of the birth of Christ cam...  Read More

This past Sunday in our Advent Series, you will recall, I spoke about the angel who shared the announcement of Christ’s birth. It came with great joy and celebration. The angel said, “I will bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people…” (Luke 2:10). Indeed, Good News came for all the people. This is underscored by the ones to whom the announcement was delivered. Shepherds were...  Read More