• The Power of the Holy Spirit

  The Holy Spirit is vital to the Christian life. Read about the fruit of the Spirit in today’s passage, and ask, Can I be such a good person on my own? We need divine intervention to live as God expects. That’s why He gives each believer a Helper, whose job is to produce Christ-like character.

• The Celebration of Christmas

  Imagine that you’re one of the Bethlehem shepherds, and you are traveling forward in time to 2009 so you can witness celebration of the Messiah’s birth. What an amazing privilege to see people all over the world commemorating the event that changed your life—and to know that it has transformed the lives of countless others over the last 2,000 years.

• Good Discipline

  To gain a deeper understanding of the loving nature of God’s discipline, try to remember your own childhood. Maybe you heard these familiar words from your mother or father: “This hurts me more than it hurts you.” Back then, you probably did not appreciate or even believe that sentiment. Nor did you comprehend the true meaning until you became an adult.

• Experiencing God's Goodness

  When life is pleasant, we find praising God easy because His kindness is abundantly evident. However, we may have difficulty recognizing pain and trouble as an expression of His loving care. In difficult times, we need to trust today’s Scriptures, which tell us that the Lord has stored up goodness for those who trust and obey Him.

• A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

  At first glance, the words sacrifice and thanksgiving have little connection, yet Scripture combines them in one phrase. Sacrifice brings to mind images of painful relinquishment or costly service, whereas thanksgiving conveys a joyous response prompted by overflowing abundance and blessings.