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Hebrews 4:12 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. It really isn’t the luck of the draw.  It just happens to be where my name appears on the list of names of pastors who write devotionals for our church.  My first devotional for 2025 and I am already having troubles writing “2025”. I don’t think I have…

Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her king. Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the world, the Savior reigns, let men their songs employ. While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love.   As we dwell in the afterglow of Christmas,…

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This…

Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.  ~ Hebrews 9:28  As a young child, I had a very difficult time waiting for Christmas morning. How many of those presents under the tree were for me? Do they make a noise when shaken? How heavy are they? What could be wrapped in that fancy paper,…