Steve's Blog
He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. Luke 1:17 (NLT)
Advent, the weeks leading up to Christmas, is a time of preparation. In one sense, there are presents to purchase, homes to decorate, cookies to bake, and meals to prepare. For many people, it is a busy season; for others, it is also very stressful. There are expectations, sometimes beyond reason, that do not always match up with reality.
We do not want to minimize th...
She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. Luke 2:38 (NLT)
Expectations are funny things. At times, we have “great expectations,” while we only anticipate disappointment or dread on other occasions. The Advent of Christ elicited hopeful expectations from Simeon and Anna. Granted, it is possible that they did not foresee a Messiah who would be cr...
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. Psalm 34:6 (NLT)
It is not unusual for children to have a sense of desperation this time of year. They have made their wish list, perhaps even written a letter to Santa Claus. The anticipation leading up to Christmas is excruciating. Will their desires come true? Will they try and sneak a peek? Do they secretly fear that they might be on the naughty list?
A sense of desperation brings things into focus. It...
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:17 (NLT)
We live in a world where the brokenness is evident. Some people realize their brokenness, while many do not. We need to understand three things about the brokenness in this world. At times, our sin is the cause of our brokenness; at other times, it is because we live in a fallen world under a curse. But finally, there is a brokenness that God can use to heal the world.
Ecc...
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