The One Gift JESUS Wants for You This Christmas
When JESUS lived on earth and traveled from town to town, there was clamor, commotion, expectancy, and high energy. No gadgets. No gimmicks. No texts, media feeds, advertisements, tickets, or registrations. Only word of mouth spreading the news: JESUS is coming. JESUS is home. JESUS is in the House. The season of Advent stirs a similar response in many hearts. We count down the days until Christmas. We prepare gifts. We enjoy musicals, dramas, decorating, pageants, programs, parties, and greetings. Yes—say MERRY CHRISTMAS. Before JESUS, God’s Son, came into our world—though HE existed before creation—there was always expecting. Waiting for JESUS was real for those who followed and believed in GOD the Heavenly Father. GOD promised that a Savior would be...
Read MoreGod Makes Us Strong
Hook: Have you ever stood tall and felt brave, even when something was hard? Book: “They stood up on their feet—a great army.” — Ezekiel 37:10 Look: When we trust God, He helps us stand strong, even when life feels hard. Just like the dry bones stood up, we can stand tall with His love in our hearts. Took: Lord, help me be brave and strong with You by my side. Amen. Charles Smith is a faith-driven author and creator of After the Storm Books & Journals. His work focuses on devotionals that help readers of all ages find peace, strength, and purpose through God’s Word. Charles is the author of After the Storm, Looking for God (After the Storm), Life After the Storms: New Beginnings, How to Build a Better You! For Today’s Men Dealing with...
Read MoreTHINK–THANK! Here’s My Part, LORD!
God did it again! What’s the “IT”? A blessing! Family, friends, church, school, fun! A surprise birthday 🎉 celebration better than you planned! A very sad time when you cried, cried, cried! A warm, comfortable home! You met a new friend after transferring to another school. Grandma and Gramps are actually here for a visit! Scoring the winning goal in the final five minutes! The perfect answer to a problem, crisis, or situation you never shared with anyone! Waking early enough to see an amazing sunrise! Skateboard destroyed; not a scratch on you! Courage to tell the truth! Cousin returns home safely from military deployment. You scanned the roster—your name is not there! A B on the final exam of your most challenging class! Apologizing...
Read MoreGod, You Are Good to Me
This week is a special one; it’s Thanksgiving! A time when we celebrate how good God is. That’s the time when we stop and really notice all the good things God has put in our lives. Not just the big things like food and family, but even the small things we forget about… like waking up this morning, sunshine, friends at school, or a warm hug from someone who loves you. The Bible tells us in Psalm 107:1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” Did you hear that? God is good — always — and His love never quits. Sometimes we have great days. Sometimes we have tough days. But no matter what kind of day it is, God is still with us, still helping us, and still showing us His love in so many ways. So here’s something simple you...
Read MoreJoseph
Jacob had a favored son. He loved him more than anyone. He gave him a coat with many hues. A gift that stirred unwelcome news. Joseph’s brothers burned with rage. They set their hearts on a darker stage. They seized him, sold him into chains. They told Jacob only pains. They dipped a coat in goat’s red stain. They carried home a tale of pain. Jacob tore his robe and cried. He believed his son had died. Joseph served a king in a distant land. In that role he took command. He saw his kin in hunger’s grip. He filled their sacks for every trip. He forgave their deeds, he eased their fears. They stood before him, washed in tears. Jacob rose with sudden joy when he held his living...
Read MoreCan Blind Dogs Learn Tricks? God Can Help Us See Our Blind Spots
Blind and lost, Princess Zoey wandered through empty fields until someone found her. Then the old pug sat in a kennel at the shelter. “Shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes and understand with their heart, turn, and be healed.” When we see God’s goodness and refuse to believe He is good and wants His best for us, our hearts grow hard and our eyes grow dim. Isaiah 6:10 What if we saw something but couldn’t believe it. Or heard something but couldn’t understand it. What if our hearts were closed to the truth? God can help us see our blind spots. Princess Zoey couldn’t see but she was able to use her senses of hearing and smell to learn tricks. She loves treats and could smell her reward. It took time, but with much patience and prayer her human...
Read MoreWhen Jesus Whispers on YouTube
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If it’s in the Bible, The Pirate Preacher knows the story. Monday nights he leads a “Jesus Study” in Moore Square, Raleigh, NC. Each Sunday you will find him in the park and at the bus station helping others enjoy the abundant life Jesus promised.
The Pirate Preacher helped launch Christian Devotions Ministries and is the former CEO of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, a Christian book publishing company. He’s also a “Blessed Selling” author and Writers’ Coach.
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