“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand…I myself will help you” (Isaiah 41:10, 14). C. H. Spurgeon, in commenting on this passage, imagines the Lord saying:“I will help you. It is but a small thing for me, your God, to help you. Consider what I have done already…I bought you with m...  Read More

It has been heartbreaking this week to watch the news of the disastrous fires sweeping through neighborhoods taking lives, destroying homes, schools, businesses and property in Southern California. Thus far, as of this writing, ten deaths are reported, 180,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes and the fires have destroyed more than 9,000 structures while consuming over 30,000 acres. ...  Read More

I read the story about a pastor in California who came by his church the day after Christmas and noticed that the outside church nativity scene was missing the baby Jesus from the cast of figures. He thought about reporting it to the police, but before he could do so, he saw a child in his congregation pulling a red wagon with the figure of the baby infant Jesus in the wagon. The pastor walked up ...  Read More

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14).I like the way the Apostle John introduces Jesus in his gospel. John tells us that Jesus came to rub shoulders with people like us. In so doing, He showed us that He loves us. Think about this…Jesus was born to a young and poor peasant couple, in a smelly barn, occupied by livestock. He was announced by angels to simple shepherds,...  Read More

Fulton Oursler, American journalist, novelist and playwright, wrote a beautiful Christmas story years ago that I would like to share with you today—A man named Pete was in his shop the day a little girl came to his door. The small front window was strewn with a disarray of old-fashioned things: bracelets, gold rings and necklaces.On this winter’s afternoon a week before Christmas, a child was stan...  Read More

A mother was excited to have several of her dear friends offer to come over and celebrate the recent arrival of her newborn son. She welcomed the friends on the appointed day as they gathered at her house, bringing with them food and drink, and then together they celebrated the happy event in her life.After a while, one of her friends said, “Bring the baby out so we can see him.” Immediately, the ...  Read More