A Tale of Two Kingdoms: Choosing Between Our Crown and Christ'sAs we reflect on the Christmas story, we're drawn to a powerful juxtaposition that goes far beyond the nativity scene. It's a tale of two kingdoms - one built on earthly power and personal glory, the other founded on heavenly authority and sacrificial love. This contrast is vividly illustrated in the account of King Herod and the wise ...  Read More

1 Corinthians 5:12-13“For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders? Don’t you judge those who are inside? God judges outsiders. Remove the evil person from among you.”One of the biggest challenges we face as believers is navigating how we interact with the world around us. It’s tempting to expect everyone, inside and outside the church, to live by the same standards. But Paul, in his letter ...  Read More

Romans 10:15“...As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”“It’s snowing outside!”  my two girls Zayda and Rachel exclaimed in delight as they ran down the street in our neighborhood.  We were outside just after Thanksgiving putting up some Christmas lights when the flurries started to fall.  As I watched how happy my girls were to “spread the good news” of the chan...  Read More

Grace: The True Gift of ChristmasAs the holiday season approaches, we often find ourselves caught up in the whirlwind of gift-giving and receiving. The age-old question echoes through homes and shopping malls: "What do you want for Christmas?" While material presents can bring temporary joy, there's a far greater gift available to us all – the gift of God's grace.This Christmas, let's take a momen...  Read More

2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He included these powerful words: “And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew  6:13). This wasn’t just a prayer for provision or forgiveness, it was a prayer for protection. Jesus knew that as we walk through life, we ...  Read More

Psalm 119:59“I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies.”Have you ever been impacted by a powerful testimony?  I have!  I can still remember the place, setting, how I felt, and who was with me.  The Psalmist shares that testimonies of the Lord are powerful tools that can help guide us in our walk with Christ.  When “our feet” get caught up in “our ways,” hearing how Jesus chan...  Read More

When Life Doesn't Go As Planned: Finding Hope in Unexpected CircumstancesLife has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. We plan, we prepare, we envision our future - and then suddenly, everything changes. How do we respond when life doesn't go as planned? Where do we turn when our carefully laid out paths take an unexpected turn?The story of Joseph, often overshadowed in the Chri...  Read More

1 Thessalonians 5:16–22“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t stifle the Spirit. Don’t despise prophecies, but test all things. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.When we hear Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5, they can feel like a checklist for the “perfect Christian life.” But this isn’t about che...  Read More

James 2:14-17What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?  If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?  In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by its...  Read More

Living a Life of Good Works: Making Faith Attractive in Today's WorldIn a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and technological advancements, it's easy to forget the irreplaceable value of human connection and kindness. While AI may promise to make our lives more efficient, nothing can substitute the warmth of genuine relationships and the impact of a life lived in service to o...  Read More

Acts 18:24-28Now a Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was competent in the use of the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit,he was speaking and teaching accurately about Jesus, although he knew only John’s baptism. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took...  Read More

Luke 7:6-10“Jesus went with them, and when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, since I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.[a] 8 For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command. I s...  Read More