“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2 NIV) We often associate the magi, or wise men, with the gifts they brought to the Christ child, while overlooking the best gift they gave Him before they presented HimContinueContinue reading “The Best Gift Ever”
Author Archives: risingwiththeson
What Will You Give Him?
They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.(Matthew 2:11 NLT) One Christmas, I found myself contemplating on the well-known song, “Little Drummer Boy.” Unlike the Magi, the little boyContinueContinue reading “What Will You Give Him?”
You Shall Call His Name Jesus
She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21 MEV) I was at the mall a few years ago when I ran into an old friend from elementary school. Many years had passed but I still remembered her name and sheContinueContinue reading “You Shall Call His Name Jesus”
Mary, Did You Know?
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throneContinueContinue reading “Mary, Did You Know?”
Born to Stand Out Not Fit In
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:34-35 NIV) Jesus was no ordinary baby.ContinueContinue reading “Born to Stand Out Not Fit In”
Hanukkah
The Temple of God was then dedicated with great joy by the people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the people who had returned from exile. (Ezra 6:16 NLT) When the Jerusalem Temple was rebuilt, the Israelites celebrated its dedication with joy. The word “dedication” in today’s passage translates the AramaicContinueContinue reading “Hanukkah”
The Grinch Who Stole My Blessing
Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears. (Hebrews 12:16-17 MSG) When Jacob got the blessing of the firstborn, his olderContinueContinue reading “The Grinch Who Stole My Blessing”
Worship the King
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2 NIV) In the Netflix Season 4 of The Crown (the only Season I’ve watched to the end!), Princess Diana is reminded by Prince Philip that everything revolves aroundContinueContinue reading “Worship the King”
Be A Tough Cookie
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (MatthewContinueContinue reading “Be A Tough Cookie”
The Real Star
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2 NLT) Many people rise toContinueContinue reading “The Real Star”
Rising with the Son 