ISRAEL gave special permission for the head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, to visit GAZA for a pre-Christmas Mass at the Church of the Holy Family, where Christians have been harboring in the midst of this war not their own. As Israeli drones sounded overhead, he encouraged believers toContinue reading “How Christians in Hard Places Spent Christmas”
Tag Archives: Christmas
Christmas Prayer
Praying God will meet you and your family in deep, meaningful ways as you celebrate Christ today. Lord, please protect our family time together this Christmas. Fill our homes with Your felt presence and block any enemy plans. Guide all our conversations into You. Help us forgive one another and listen to each other. TearContinue reading “Christmas Prayer”
Loving the Lost – John 3:16
Christ has given so much for us. What will you give for Him? How can you thank Him deeply, not just with your words, but with your life? The fact that so much of the world still has not heard the good news could be more a love problem than one of restricted access. How deeplyContinue reading “Loving the Lost – John 3:16”
A Covering for the Persecuted, A Savior for the Persecutors
As we pray for believers in danger throughout the world this Christmas, I have been thinking on Mary and Joseph’s escape to Egypt in Matthew 2:13-15, when Herod set out to murder Jesus. What a threat to satan’s purposes of killing, stealing and destroying is this One who came to give us abundant life. JohnContinue reading “A Covering for the Persecuted, A Savior for the Persecutors”
Prayers for Suffering Christians This Christmas
As we gather with loved ones this Christmas and worship God freely in our churches, let’s take a moment to pray together as a family for persecuted Christians throughout the world who don’t have that freedom or who are in the midst of a war not their own. Lord, we ask You for Christians inContinue reading “Prayers for Suffering Christians This Christmas”
Warmth for the Lonely
Winters are cold in the dark area of the world where the Lord called our family to share the gospel for almost 30 years. Lots of snow and ice. Not many people outside. It can feel quite lonely, especially when you’re the only Christian around and an oppressive government forbids Christmas. No, I’m not talking about the Grinch,Continue reading “Warmth for the Lonely”
Christmas in the Dark
What is it like to live in a country where celebrating Christmas is forbidden? Where Christians are persecuted? Where millions have never heard about the God Who loves them and gave His Son to die for their sins so they can be free? I can tell you. Because we’ve lived there. For most of theContinue reading “Christmas in the Dark”
Deepen Our Love
Let’s make this celebration of Christ’s birth memorable because of how we choose to LOVE. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NASB Lord, help us lay down all our grudges, fears, pride, and regrets, so we can LOVE, even as You first lovedContinue reading “Deepen Our Love”
When Christmas Is Hard
My dear brothers and sisters, I don’t know what all of you are going through right now, but I know for some of you this will be the first Christmas without a loved one. I want you to know my heart is with you and I love you dearly. Jesus’ arms are a safe placeContinue reading “When Christmas Is Hard”
Do You Measure Up?
Our kids tend to lean on God the same way they lean on us. So, if we’re telling them all the ways they don’t measure up, they’re likely to see God as displeased with them, as well. Maybe that’s something you also experienced that is still a struggle for you today. It’s easy to imagineContinue reading “Do You Measure Up?”
PRAYER WALL 