The sooner you can rejoice in your adversity, the sooner you will be delivered from the bondage of that situation.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
What adversity do you need to overcome through rejoicing?
I apologize for the delay in sending you today’s message. In my devotional on November 26, I committed to share photos and highlights from the November 25 Culpeper Community Thanksgiving Service on Nov 27. However, like many of you, my past few days have been filled with enjoyable moments with family and …

“No words are adequate to console those who have lost a loved one serving our nation. We can only offer our prayers and join in their grief. We grieve for the mother who hears the sound of her child’s 21-gun salute. We grieve for the husband or wife who receives a folded flag. We grieve for a young son or daughter who only knows Dad from a photograph.” President George W. Bush
“We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future, your children will ask,”What do these stones …

“Dois also shows us that it is never to late in life to take on something big for God.” - Chuck Colson
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” (John 14:12)
As you contemplate on the God who hung on the cross, what is possible for God to do through you for the remainder of your life?
Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full …

“To be humble to superiors is duty, to equals courtesy, to inferiors nobleness.” – Benjamin Franklin
By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4)
In what areas of your life, do you need to die to yourself?
Yesterday evening, rather than hosting the weekly marriage LIFE group at our home, I attended the Tenebrae Service at New Salem Baptist Church. Before Pastor Chad Whaley and his wife Briana invited me a week ago, I had never heard of Tenebrae. The Tenebrae service has already had …

“From ashes you came and to ashes you will return.”
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.” (Matthew 11:21)
How will you prepare to make this year’s Easter celebration the best ever?
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. In the Catholic Church, when the ashes are put on a person’s forehead in the shape of a cross, the priest says “from ashes you …

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” – President Calvin Coolidge
 
“I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” (John 12:46)
What does it mean to believe in Jesus?
How does belief in Jesus change how you live?
My favorite thing to do during the Christmas season is to prepare and send our family Christmas cards and letters to …

“Tradition is a guide and not a jailer” – William Somerset Maugham
 
“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.” …

“Work now, play later. Serious now, pleasure later.” – Rev. Matt Gregory
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (Matthew 25:13)
If you knew Jesus was going to return in five minutes (300 seconds), what would be your reaction?
When Jesus returns, will you have oil in your lamp?
During the worship service at Soul Purpose Church on Sunday December 16, Pastor Matt Gregory preached a message titled “The Last Christmas Ever.” Today’s message comes from that sermon and my notes:
Matt began …

“The world would never starve for wonders, but only for the warmth of wonder.”  – G. K. Chesterton
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)
Who can you share the wonder of Christmas with this year?
On December 10, I sent a devotional titled “Letter from Jesus about Christmas.” In response to …

Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.  ~John W. Whitehead, The Stealing of America, 1983
“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.” (Luke 6:43)
What simple things can you focus on this month to bear much good fruit?
When I die, I want to leave a strong family legacy – children and grandchildren who love Jesus and have passion for the Word of God – family members who selflessly serve others out of the love they …