“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52 NIV84). For many years I have made it a habit to spend the last week of the year in prayer, meditation and Scripture study. I call it my annual study break. It’s also a time to evaluate how I
Author: Gary Combs
The gift within a gift within a gift
“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 KJV). “In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4 KJV). My wife is a very curious woman. She loves surprises, but she
Unto who?
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11 ESV). “Unto you.” What unusual language. This is the message that the heavenly host declared to the shepherds watching their flocks at night. “Unto who?” The shepherds may have asked. Instead, they said to
Why spend for unsatisfying things?
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:1-2 ESV). “If we find ourselves with
Would the wise men have worshiped at Walmart?
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-3 ESV). Look at the crowd gathered in this photo. Are they rioting
Of baptisms, fresh starts and deep fried turkey
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…’” (Acts 2:38 NIV84). “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV84). This coming Sunday we’re finishing our sermon series called “Faith Foundations” with
Is there life after death?
“If a man dies, will he live again?” (Job 14:14 NIV84). “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a
Holding on to my hand
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of
What’s the greatest blessing of salvation?
“I will not leave you as orphans;I will come to you” (John 14:18 ESV). “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children
Responding to the bread and the cup
“The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in