Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
Read: Isaiah 11:1-9 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse. (v. 1) This lovely German carol dates from the 14th century. The biblical verse on which it was based is Isaiah 11:1. The Rose of whom we sing is a flower on the “shoot from the stump of Jesse,” which is a […]
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Read: Psalm 130 I wait for the Lord . . . and in his word I hope. (v. 5) ”I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is a poem written by one of the most popular poets in 19th-century America, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The first line tells us the circumstances of the poem’s composition, but the key to […]
O Come, O Come, Immanuel
Read: Isaiah 7:3-17; Matthew 1:20-23 They shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us). (Matt. 1:23) One of the most familiar and best-loved of all Advent hymns is the haunting “O Come, O Come Immanuel,” sung to a tune based on the Gregorian chant of the ancient church. The text goes back to […]
December 2023 Prayer Guide
ALBANIA — Give thanks for exciting mission collaboration opportunities! Recently, Words of Hope’s director for ministry in Albania had a chance to network with RCA Global Mission staff on the topic of church planting in Albania and Kosovo. Pray with us that more churches can be successfully planted in these countries. Pray that the right […]
Learning from John the Baptist
Read: Luke 11:1-4 Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples. (v. 1) When you and I read the Bible, we can learn from and admire biblical characters, but God is always the hero. You and I, like each biblical character, are imperfect and sinful by nature. Over the past two weeks, we have […]
Faithful to the End
Read: Matthew 14:1-14 His disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus. (v. 12) Can you think of something in this sin-tainted world that breaks your heart and makes you wonder, How can this be? I lament when human trafficking, sexual immorality, injustice, racism, poverty, war, crime, and abuse […]
Public Affirmation
Read: Luke 7:24-28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. (v. 28) Can you think of a time when you were hurting and feeling low, and someone was there to support you? Perhaps there was a time when you were picked on and someone stood up for you, a moment […]
A Moment of Doubt
Read: Luke 7:18-23 And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (vv. 18-19) Have you experienced a time when your faith wavered? Perhaps you experienced the loss of a loved one, a health issue, a […]
Increase and Decrease
Read: John 3:22-36 He must increase, but I must decrease. (v. 30) We live in a competitive culture. Each person is encouraged to advance, grow wealthier, increase in popularity, and gain followers. While many put self ahead of others, it’s refreshing to see someone applaud the accomplishments and achievements of someone else. That’s what we see […]