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  Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things, there is no law.” Have you ever noticed that this well-known, oft-recited verse begins with the word “But”? The conjunction is an…

“Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the Lord. “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back;…

Every year Christians prepare for the birth of Christ. We remember how Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph. We reflect on the beauty of the incarnation—God becoming human and dwelling among us. We often celebrate the greatest gift by giving gifts to one another. We do this every year. Advent helps us…

The arrival of Christmas announces to the world again that God walked among men through the supernatural conception and virgin birth of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:23). To me, the Advent season brings a celebration of both birth and rebirth. While I revel in the yearly yuletide…

Paul’s writings personify gratefulness. Thirty-four times he gives thanks or encourages others to be grateful. I learn from Paul some of the things for which I should be thankful. Paul was ever grateful for the reality of personal salvation. It was difficult for him to understand how God could “…

It is easy to thank God when we get what we want the way we want it. Those are the things we usually count, naming them one by one and being pleasantly surprised at what the Lord has done. Counting blessings is good for anybody. No honest person could look these over and not thank God. The…