You have one more gift to open. The day after Christmas does not mark the end of gift giving. Each morning the gift of Christ awaits. Even more, this gift is one that God opens for you. God is relentless in his pursuit to bring joy to your needy soul. He cannot be out given. No matter what circumstance you face, the unfailing love of God is constant. This love transcends the difficulties of this temporal life. Each morning the wonder of Christmas is yours again. This is not a gift that you have earned. Therefore, don’t require others to earn your love and your favor. Give this gift that is freely given to you to your spouse, to your […]
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Need a last minute gift? ebooks to the rescue! An ebook directly from Shepherd Press is not only a great book, but there is no easier way to give a great present! You can send e-books you buy directly from us to others as a gift from you. This means no shipping costs and no gift wrapping. It is as easy as sending an email! Here is our Share with Integrity policy: Shepherd Press has made it easy for you to give ebooks that you buy directly from us to others; simply email the ebook to anyone you wish! All we ask is that you purchase an ebook license for each ebook you distribute. We are delighted to extend our […]
Our Children’s Needs Are the Same As Our Needs By Tedd Tripp from Instructing a Child’s Heart. Because the problem of sin is deeper than the wrong things we do and say, sin problems can only be solved by grace. Since our problem is internal, sin cannot be remedied by “getting one’s act together.” Only grace can bring radical heart transformation. When the heart receives appropriate attention, children will not be able to escape how profoundly they need grace. If they see that their problem is bigger than behavior, they are delivered from superficial views of the Christian life. Our children’s needs are the same as our needs. We need the heart transplant surgery that is promised in the grace […]
No Gospel, No Peace There is a common misunderstanding about the blessing of peace given by the angels at the birth of Christ. The blessing is not for all on earth, but for those with whom God is pleased. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14 These 17 words tell us much about the meaning of Christmas and why there can be no real peace without the rule of Christ in the hearts of men. For thousands of years since that dark day in the garden, war ruled in the human heart. The only hope of peace is changed hearts in the race of men. This was the […]
Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, unexpectedly came face-to-face with the angel Gabriel. Mary was a young woman, quite possibly a teen-ager. To say that she was startled and taken aback would be a huge understatement. But Gabriel comforts her and then with a few spoken words turned her life upside down. She was going to become a mother. She was told her child would grow up to take the throne of King David and that his kingdom would have no end. This was not an ordinary conversation. Gabriel was no ordinary visitor. Her baby would not be an ordinary son. Mary, an ordinary young woman, a sinner saved by grace, was troubled and confused and afraid as any woman […]
Christmas Made Simpler from the Desiring God Blog by Stacy Reaoch This year our family is celebrating Christmas more simply. We are eagerly anticipating flying to Texas to be with my husband’s parents and siblings, leaving the week before Christmas. Because of these major travel plans for our rowdy group of six, many things in the month of December have been simplified. And I’m finding it very freeing. Although I normally love the tradition of cutting down our tree and decorating it, this year we just have lighted greenery on our piano and a few Christmas decorations scattered around the house. Decorating took half the time and half the expense! Smaller and simpler gifts are being bought that can easily […]
The When, What and Why of Behavior by Tedd Tripp The heart is the seat of motivation. Think about it in this way. Behavior has a when, a what, and a why. The when of behavior is the circumstance for the behavior. The what of behavior are things that one does or says. The why of behavior is the motive. Imagine that I arrive home and find a bike in the driveway. I have to get out of the car and move the bike. Irritated, I go inside to find the child who belongs to the bike. Imagine at this moment that you, the reader, come along and ask, “Tedd, why are you so angry?” I will probably say, “I […]
“Why did I say that? I love my kids.” “I so sorry I said that, I didn’t mean it” “He makes so angry, I can’t stop thinking about it.” Sound familiar? These statements indicate a control problem, but maybe not in the way you are thinking. You see, it is not about you being in control. Rather, it is about whom you choose to be in control of your life. In Galatians 5 Paul tells you to walk by the Spirit, so that you will not gratify the desires of your flesh. If you desire the control of the Holy Spirit then you will eagerly pursue his fruit. (See Galatians 5:22-23) But if you listen to your flesh, God will […]
Clear the way for the Lord. The Lord has come and he will come again. Christmas marks the beginning of the end. The end of: Greed, Selfishness, Bigotry, Racism, Oppression, Immorality, Secularism, Corrupt leaders, Abuse, Anger, Hatred, Suffering, Heartbreak. Someone is saying, “Wait a minute! Haven’t you seen the news.” Yes, I have. But there is news that is better than what is on the cable, network or internet. It was announced in the heavens 2,000 years ago. The items on this list have been defeated by Jesus Christ. The good news is that the Lord will make his way through the spiritual wasteland of our planet. He makes a certain promise that one day there will be no more […]
Happy Holidays is the sensitive, politically correct, caring greeting to offer from Thanksgiving Day until Happy Holiday Day. After Happy Holliday Day then it is fine form to actually say Happy New Year. No one seems to be offended at the prospect of celebrating parties, drunkenness and the fleeting hope that next year will be better than this year. Of course saying Happy Thanksgiving is becoming problematic because someone might think you are thankful to the God of the Bible. Thus, to avoid to avoid confusion, giving offense and a possible lawsuit it is just easier to say Happy Holidays. Therefore, to offer a truly happy, non-offensive greeting all you have to do is to avoid the mention of anything […]