I recently received the 2025 Christmas devotion from Dallas Theological Seminary . Please enjoy their first selection. NOVEMBER 30 — Isaiah 9:6-7 — The Predicted Messiah Isaiah, transfixed by the Spirit of God on the time in the future when the Messiah would become flesh and blood, gives us His names. What names they are!  They are all descriptions of God’s character. Let’s consider each one. Wonderful Counselor . “Wonderful” is a word used to describe something or someone ou

Last Sunday we learned to not just Give  thanks but also to Live  thanks. I shared a powerful insight from Gerald Mann ’s book, When the Bad Times are Over for Good : “In every tragedy you can look at what you have lost and be Hateful , or you can look at what you have left and be Grateful .” Too many make the wrong decision, please make the right one. Enjoy this beautiful true story I found at guideposts.org . A Thanksgiving Turkey on Every Table We’d given our turkey to a f

Do you know how Thanksgiving Day became a national holiday in our country? Here is an interesting history lesson (credit: Edwin R. Anderson and other sources). Thanksgiving Day : A national holiday in the United States commemorating the harvest of the Plymouth Colony in 1621, following a winter of great hardship. Did you know that it was not always thus? When it was first inaugurated, it was a rather insignificant event with only a few Eastern states participating. Did you kn

According to his website ( baylessconley.tv ), “ Bayless Conley  is a pastor, author, and Bible teacher known for his clear presentation of the gospel and the way he applies the life-changing truth of God’s Word to everyday life. Each week his broadcast, Answers with Bayless Conley , is impacting lives around the world in many languages on TV and online.” He shared this inspirational article, “You Have a Destiny to Fulfill and a Purpose to Pursue.” God told Jeremiah, “Before

Stu Weber  is a pastor and author. During the Vietnam War, he served as a Group Intelligence Operations Officer in the Special Forces (United States Army) in Vietnam and received three bronze stars. In his bestselling book, Tender Warrior , he shares this valuable truth about the necessity of Connection . The war in Vietnam was building to its peak. One stop for young army officers was the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, GA. The sergeant said many wouldn’t make the g

Auntie Anne Beiler  is best known as the founder of Auntie Anne’s ®, the world’s largest pretzel franchise. But before rising to success, Anne went through years of defeat, despair, and depression that kept her stuck in a place of darkness. It was through her pain, however, that she discovered a new purpose. Writing at auntieannebeiler.com , Auntie Anne shared this encouraging devotion, “The Cure for Loneliness is Connection.”  Though long, it is well worth the read. Psalm 40

Aubrey Hoeppner , writing at openthebible.org , gives this valuable teaching about “What Jesus Says About Our Failures.” …I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, that he may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see him or know him, but you know him because he abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (John 14:15-18). In (John) chapter 16, the disci

Jenn Jewell , writing at finds.life.church , shares valuable truth regarding “How to Overcome Guilt, No Matter What You’ve Been Through.” Through muffled sobs on the living room floor, my friend confessed her affair. Silent tears slid down my own cheeks as she physically shook in my arms. It was heartbreaking, to say the least—but nothing compared to the immense beauty and pure magic of witnessing God do a redeeming work in her heart and marriage over the next several years.

Sharon Jaynes  has been encouraging women for over twenty-five years. From the time she met Christ as a teenager, she fell in love with...

Credit: Pixabay by paulracko Bitterness is such an important topic that I am focusing on it again in today’s letter. Here is another...

Jeff Strite , long time pastor in Indiana, shares some inspirational stories. Here is one about the danger of Bitterness . A young High...

The Gospel Coalition shared Michael Patton’s  excellent article, “7 Ways to Deal with Doubt”  (an excerpt from the ESV Men’s Devotional...

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association  ( billygraham.org ) includes this helpful article, “How to Deal with Anxiety.” We’re all prone...

Philip Yancey  is one of my favorite Christian authors. He is an excellent writer and is not afraid to deal with very difficult topics....

Pastor Jerry Cosper  of San Antonio, TX, shared his dramatic story about depending on God to meet a Huge need. …my little great niece was...