Make A Donation
Click Here >
Monthly Archives: December 2018
December 9, 2018
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. — Luke 1:48–50 Guardian of peace The angel sent a message of joy from God of Heaven… Read more »
December 8, 2018
A lesson in humility … clothe yourselves with humility … —1 Peter 5:5 On a trip to Mexico, I joined a local pastor, his wife and their four children for lunch. Their home was little more than a shanty; no water or electricity, situated along the Colorado River canal, its water highly polluted from… Read more »
December 7, 2018
Light A tour detour by Ken Rummer “What do you want to see while you’re in Geneva?” The host of our Swiss tour for clergy and laity was wondering. I hesitated. After all, my top choice wasn’t one of the usual Reformation tour highlights. “I’d like to see the New Testament manuscripts.” I had read… Read more »
December 7, 2018
Humble origins, glorious destinies Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up … — James 1:9 … for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. — Luke 1:48 Consider the humble life of Jesus. Laid as a newborn in a feeding trough, this carpenter received his schooling… Read more »
December 6, 2018
God’s favor for all The Spirit of the Lord is upon me … to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. — Luke 4:18–19 … for he has looked with favor … — Luke 1:48 A powerful Old Testament practice was the Jubilee Year, also called the Year of God’s Favor. Every 50th year,… Read more »
December 5, 2018
Saving ways For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost. — Luke 19:10 … my spirit rejoices in God my Savior … — Luke 1:47 There are many ways to think of salvation, but surely we can see how the teachings of Jesus “save” us from life’s snares…. Read more »
December 4, 2018
Exultant spirits Rejoice in the Lord always! — Philippians 4:4 … and my spirit rejoices … — Luke 1:47 Recall moments when you rejoiced wholeheartedly — times of worship, family gatherings or even communing with nature. As father of a special-needs son, I think of the Special Olympics. These events celebrate the worth of… Read more »
December 3, 2018
The power of magnification Extol the Lord our God! — Psalm 99:5 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord …” — Luke 1:46 Magnification has two meanings, and if we consider each of them, no wonder Mary burst into a song of praise. The first meaning is to make something appear larger, like… Read more »
December 2, 2018
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.” — Luke 1:46–48 Rise Beckoning empty skies, a light comes breaking through burning ever so powerful. Painted star of early morn; its glow will find us… Read more »
December 1, 2018
About the devotional When planning Presbyterians Today’s 2018 Advent devotional, verse 52 from Mary’s Song of Praise, also known as The Magnificat, which is found in Luke 1, kept coming to me: He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly. I began thinking about those times God had… Read more »
