Read: Nehemiah 8:10Thoughts for Parents:As punishment for the nation’s incessant unbelief and idolatry, Israel had been captured and forced into slavery in Persia. After many years, in God’s kindness,...  Read More

Read: Rev. 21:4Thoughts for Parents:Truthfully, there are days when it seems like crying, death, mourning and pain will never end. Of course, by His grace not every day is a day of overwhelming sorrow...  Read More

Read: Hebrews 12:1–2, 12Thoughts for Parents:Jesus was joyful. In fact, Hebrews 1:9 says that because He loved righteousness and hated wickedness, His Father had caused Him to be gladder than anyone a...  Read More

Read: Psalm 20Thoughts for Parents:If all you knew about Christianity was the story of Calvary, you wouldn’t think that it was very good news. If the message ended with, “And Jesus uttered a loud cry ...  Read More

The religion of Christ is the religion of joy. Christ came to take away our sins, to roll off our curse, to unbind our chains, to open our prison-house, to cancel our debt. . . . Is not this joy? Wher...  Read More

Read: Matthew 11:2–10Thoughts for Parents:I’ll admit it: sometimes I rejoice about the wrong things. Sometimes I smirk with glee when some ne’er-do-well gets his comeuppance. Even though I really love...  Read More

The most read New York Times article from 2016 had nothing to do with politics, culture wars, or comic book movies. Instead, the most-read article of 2016 was all about commitment.The piece, titled “W...  Read More

Read: Isa 35:1–10Thoughts for Parents:I’m in the mood for some good news. Aren’t you? My life isn’t really any different from yours. I have to get up in the morning and try to figure out how I’m going...  Read More

Light the third candle (pink; the Shepherd’s Candle), which represents joy.Read: Psalm 92, Luke 2:8–20Thoughts for Parents:This week we will be focusing in on joy, the joy of the Psalmist as he consid...  Read More

Read: Romans 8:28–39Thoughts for Parents:Oh, this passage! What a glorious assurance is here for us! No matter what you are facing today, no matter how far from God’s purposes and love you believe you...  Read More

Read: Romans 5:8Thoughts for Parents:Are you beginning to get a picture of how amazing God’s love is for you? How can we ever relegate the thought of it to white noise or a yawn? To be loved by God is...  Read More

Read: Romans 1:1–7Thoughts for Parents:How does the Holy Spirit refer to you? What does He call you? He calls us those who are loved by God and called to be saints. That’s so amazing. How should He re...  Read More