And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. Ecclesiastes 1:13
by Mike Halpin — *Adapted from a message given at Lion and Lamb's annual Lessons and Carols service on Dec. 24, 2020. It is my hope that this Christmas in our corporate remembering and celebrating of Jesus’ birth, we are particularly heartened and encouraged, as we come to the end of this very tumultuous and... Continue Reading →
by Lee Anderson Jr. — Last time, we considered some of the traditional beliefs that have sprung up concerning the Magi’s visit to Bethlehem to worship Jesus Christ, the newborn Savior. Today, we will look further at the account of their visit in Matthew’s Gospel. The Trek of the Magi After hearing the king, they... Continue Reading →
by Lee Anderson Jr. — After the Thanksgiving holiday, we start seeing Nativity scenes pop up on front lawns, in church grounds, in shop windows, and in a variety of other places. More often than not, we see Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus, attended to by a handful of shepherds—along with three other men who... Continue Reading →
by Lee Anderson Jr. — When we consider the amazing thing that God has done in sending Jesus Christ to bring the hope of salvation to the world, it is only natural that we respond by praising Him. This, as we saw last time, was the response of the angels who first declared the birth... Continue Reading →
by Lee Anderson Jr. — The celebration of Christmas is, for many people, an occasion filled with tradition. We set up an evergreen tree and hang ornaments on it. We bake family recipes that have been handed down from our grandparents, to our parents, to us. We sing Christmas carols together, pondering the references to... Continue Reading →
by Lee Anderson, Jr. — “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”Matthew 18:20* One of the reasons that it is so important to exercise the utmost care in the interpretation of Scripture is that the mishandling of even a single verse, inconsequential though it might... Continue Reading →
by Lee Anderson Jr. — I recently visited a historic site in my county, home to a church that has met continually since 1794. It was intensely fascinating to walk about the grounds, observing the architecture of the buildings, and seeing old headstones in the church cemetery that predated most of the notable events in... Continue Reading →
by Mike Halpin — The Industrial Revolution steamed into life with carbon-fueled smoke and mass production. Along with the benefits of efficient production, this revolution also unintentionally brought about the dissolution of the family as it had existed, pretty much from creation. Men left wives and children in early morning and returned tired and hungry... Continue Reading →
by Lee Anderson, Jr. — “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”Jeremiah 29:11* Broken promises often lead to hurt, disappointment, and distrust. Sadly, some believers experience the same feelings when one of Scripture’s promises, mistakenly assumed to... Continue Reading →
by Lee Anderson, Jr. — If . . . My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.2 Chronicles 7:13–14* The correct application of the meaning of... Continue Reading →
Applied Heart 