Tag Archives: encouragement

Time Out!

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Don Merritt

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the … Continue reading →

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Sunday Class notes: December 9

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Don Merritt

Suffering for Christ Today’s Text:              1Peter 4:12-19 Introduction   Note the similarity between this section and 1:6-9; 2:19-25; 3:17-18; 4:1-2. In this section, Peter is giving comfort and understanding to those who are facing trial and suffering for their faith.  … Continue reading →

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Tis the Season

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Don Merritt

  The Christmas Season is one that I may seem to frown on sometimes as I urge people not to get caught up in the season and forget the reason. Actually, the Christmas season can and should be a wonderful time.  I … Continue reading →

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Christmas and Eden

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Don Merritt

Q:  What do Christmas and the Garden of Eden have in common? A:  Nothing. …and everything! Christmas as a celebration, tradition and season have nothing to do with Eden.  Christmas as in the birth of Jesus Christ has everything to … Continue reading →

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My Christmas Lament

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Don Merritt

To me, Christmas today seems way too complicated.  Of course, if I could visit another era, it may be just the same…  Who really knows for sure? Christmas, and here I really mean the Christmas season, seems complicated because it … Continue reading →

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O Come, O Come!

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Don Merritt

This is a Christmas carol that contains the essence of the yearning of a people for a savior.  “O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel” Hold on, wait!  Ransom…? Yes, Ransom. Israel was in slavery to sin; so are we.  Being held … Continue reading →

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The Second Christmas Lesson

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Don Merritt

The second Christmas lesson is just who it was that was born in Bethlehem so long ago.  John makes it clear at the beginning of his Gospel: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word … Continue reading →

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The First Christmas Lesson

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Don Merritt

So what is Christmas all about? Christmas is a holiday with a questionable past, but it is rich with meaning for those who wish to find it.  While it is unlikely that Jesus was born on December 25, this is … Continue reading →

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God is our strength

Posted on December 1, 2012 by Don Merritt

“Surely God is my help;         the Lord is the one who sustains me.  Let evil recoil on those who slander me;         in your faithfulness destroy them” (Psalm 54:4-5) How easy it is to think that we can handle … Continue reading →

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Honor

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Don Merritt

A man’s pride brings him low,     but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. Proverbs 29:23 Living with God, as His follower, His servant, in relationship with Him, is a little bit counter-intuitive.  We might normally associate a proud man … Continue reading →

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