“A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah made this prophecy about 800 years before Jesus was born. He probably did not understand it, but he said what God told him to say. When Jesus was born, angels announced his birth to the shepherds, but it was …
“And let the whole earth be filled with his glory.” Solomon brought his kingdom to greatness, but he knew that his kingdom was nothing compared to the glory and greatness of the kingdom of the truly great one.
“But concerning brotherly love...you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.”
In the early 1600s, people from Spain, France, Sweden, Holland and England came to the New World. Many settled along the eastern coast of North America. The first permanent settlement was at Jamestown, now Virginia, in 1607. The first charter of Virginia emphasized the Christian character of…
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Before his arrest, Jesus spent much time talking to his apostles. There were many things that they didn’t understand, but Jesus wanted them to know that love should be behind all actions. All we say, all we d…
“And I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish. . .” Friday is All Saints’ Day, a day the Christian Church set aside to commemorate all the saints of the church, living and dead. The date was first recorded by Pope Gregory III (731-741) when he dedicated a chapel on Nov. 1, in ho…
“I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Jesus knew what was ahead and, before his arrest at Gethsemane, he told his disciples they needed to be prepared. When their time…
“Blessed is the man who maketh the lord his trust.” David made mistakes, but he had the law of God in his heart. At one point he was surrounded by enemies and people he thought were his friends had been disloyal. He was crushed, but at the same time, he knew he was not alone. God, who contro…
“Without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day.” Paul wrote those words to Timothy, but whomever he was writing to, Paul usually began his letters with prayers and thanks. He often wrote from prison, but he was still able to pray and share God’s love.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” All through his ministry, Jesus talked about love. People were meant to love each other, not just their family or friends but all people — even enemies. Real love means to be kind and helpful. Jesus loved all people and…
“Your father knows what you need before you ask him.” Jesus told the apostles it was important to pray — talk to God — but God always knows exactly what is going on. He knows what you are facing and what you need, but he does want you to ask him for help.
“All the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.” God told the Israelites they needed to unite, to work together if they wanted to defeat their enemy. People in sports know their team won’t win unless they work together for the good of all. That is the way it …
“For the laborer is worthy of his hire.” Jesus spoke those words to his apostles when he was getting them ready to go out and spread the Gospel. Talking to a crowd may not get them much attention, but when they went in and worked with the common man “as one of them,” they were more apt to be…
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles...” God wanted Isaiah and the people to know that no matter what they faced, he would be with them. He would see them through, giving them strength and all they needed. Many who faced dras…
“Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Different times in scripture, when Paul was talking about the Christian life, he used the example of an athlete running a race. Most people have goals and they want to achieve …
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and hope.” God’s people had been taken captive to Babylon. Jeremiah gave them God’s message, that no matter how bad things seemed, God had not forgotten them and things would get better.
“I am the vine, you are the branches,” Jesus tried to explain to his disciples that it was important to follow him. They needed to let him be number one, and they would branch off from him. That was the only way they could accomplish the work they had to do.
“Upon the harp will I praise thee, O God.” The harp became a musical instrument almost from the beginning. The harp is first mentioned in Genesis and is spoken of several times in the Bible, all the way through Revelation. As many times as the harp is mentioned, only one person is specifical…
“Long may our land be bright With freedom’s holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King.” Many will recognize that verse from the song, “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” It’s often sung for Independence Day, a reminder of how this country was founded and who made it great.
“Oh, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming”
“All things are possible to him that believes.” That is what Jesus said to a father who brought his son to be healed. The disciples were not able to help, but Jesus spoke kindly to the man and he healed his son. When an angel told Mary she would have a baby, Mary was doubtful but the an…
“And ye shall be witnesses unto Me ... And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” Jesus had been crucified. He had died on the cross. His apostles knew it, his friends knew it, even those who persecuted him knew he h…
“Though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil... I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” The Shepherd’s Psalm was written by David, possibly when he was just a shepherd boy. It is considered the best loved chapter in the Old Testament.
“Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.” David had learned that in all kinds of trouble, he could trust God to get him through. Friends may disappoint us or even turn away, but God is always present.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” Prayer brings people into the presence of God. No matter what is going on, God is the answer. In times of trial, in times of prosperity, when you don’t know where to turn, God has the answer, and he will bless those who turn to him.
“Then Simon Peter came ... He saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but wrapped together in a place by itself.” Mary went to the tomb and found the stone rolled away and the body of Jesus was gone. She hurried back and told Pe…
“Then Pilate delivered Jesus unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus and led him away.” Pilate did not want to crucify Jesus, and he tried to get out of it. The religious leaders stirred up the crowd and Pilate wouldn’t go against the people and lose his position.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” We must remember that salvation is a free gift. No one can do anything to earn salvation. God showed mercy to all mankind by choosing to apply the righteousn…
“A new commandment I give to you, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.” Jesus spoke these words to the apostles after the passover meal, the last meal he would have with them before his death. Earlier in the evening, during the meal, Jesus had got up and washed the feet of his…
“You have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man.” Paul wrote that those who have a personal relationship with Jesus become “new.” When people come to the point where they truly believe that Jesus lived, died on the cross and rose again, their lives change. They want…
“Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” The lily has long been considered an Easter flower. In his writings, Solomon used the lily to stand for someone’s beloved. The prophet H…
“And this day shall be unto you a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the lord throughout your generation; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.” The lord told Moses the Israelites would be leaving Egypt and they needed to remember that day for ever. When Jesus was preachi…
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscious, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Many think that verse from Hebrews is what Ash Wednesday is all about. Ash Wednesday is believed to have originated around 750 A.D. …
“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.” God had told Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and tell the people what was going to happen to their city. The people had become wicked and the area was an enemy to Israel. Jonah didn’t want to go and tried to run away from God, …
“First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and for all who are in high positions.” Paul wrote this while he was in prison in Rome by order of Nero. He was saying that whether you agree or disagree with the leader, whether…
“What shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Paul asked this question when he wrote to the Romans. He offered possibilities then said, “No!” Those who truly believe in Jesus cannot be separated from him. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, …
“And the Lord said unto Moses ... tell the people of Israel to go forward.” God had told Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. After they had left, the pharaoh changed his mind. After all, the Israelites were their slaves — they did all of the hard work. He wanted them back and the Egyp…
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” Jesus spoke these words to his disciples. Peter later wrote to some of the churches that Paul had started, and he wrote “because Christ also suffered for us, leaving an example, that you should follow…
“Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” The prophet Joel made this statement and about 800 years later, during his sermon at Pentecost, Peter quoted Joel. God has given people dreams and visions and when he gives them a job to do, God is with them to aid them in …
“But there is a God in heaven who revealeth secrets...” Daniel said that to King Nebuchadnezzar, after the king had a dream and Daniel was about to interpret it for him. God gave Daniel the knowledge he needed to interpret dreams for people. About 700 years later, James wrote, “If any of you…
“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Paul wrote this to the Corinthians. When someone comes to know Jesus, that person’s life changes. “Old things pass away and things become new.” It is a new way of life.
“And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.” The first Christmas - the birth of Jesus. No, Jesus was not born on Dec. 25. There is no record stating exactly when He was born. Scholars who have studied ancient writings think Jesus…
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16, one of the most memorized verses in the Bible. God loved the people he created so much, and the sin that people were involved in broke …
“Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” The book of Habakkuk is one of the shortest books in the Bible. It is only three chapters, but between the beginning and the end, a remarkable change occurs in this prophet
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Peace is defined as “a state of physical or mental tranquility; calm, serenity.” This time of year — Christmas — is a busy time, but it is also a confusing time for many people. Many people lack the j…
“And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in thee.” David had faith in God. He knew that God would see him through anything and that gave him hope.
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul told the Ephesians to be thankful at all times. There are times when we don’t feel like being thankful. Things aren’t going right, your world is falling apart and you sure don’t want to g…
Glory to God in the highest and on Earth, peace, good will toward men.” When the angels appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus, that was the last thing they said. People should always strive for peace. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Be of one mind, live in peace; and the G…
“When Peter saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him.”
“Supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” Paul wrote this in one of his letters to Timothy. He was probably in prison at the time a…
