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(Luke 1:67–79) Longing for Assurance We know the feeling—the text bubble appears, then disappears. Silence follows, and with it a swirl of questions and unease. We crave clarity, especially when it comes to love. In Advent, we’re reminded that God knows this longing. Zechariah’s long silence ends not with uncertainty, but with praise—because God finally […]

SING IT, MARY(Luke 1:46–55; 1 Samuel 2:1–11) Joy That Can’t Stay Silent Throughout Scripture, moments of deep joy are often sung, not merely spoken. Hannah sang when God met her in her barrenness. Mary sang when God met her in her lowliness. When hearts overflow, words alone seem insufficient. God has designed singing to shape

When Peace Feels Impossible Most of us can relate to feeling stressed, stretched thin, or worn down by life’s struggles. Advent reminds us that peace—true biblical shalom—is more than the absence of conflict. It’s wholeness and flourishing. Mary’s story helps us see this clearly. A young teenage girl, engaged and dreaming of her future, suddenly

Greetings That Build Unity At the end of Philippians, Paul’s goodbye is surprisingly full of hellos: “Greet every saint… the brothers greet you… all the saints greet you.” Even in his closing words, Paul emphasizes relational warmth, unity, and hospitality. Simply acknowledging one another—seeing and greeting one another with grace—becomes a powerful practice in building

Contentment in Christ, Not Circumstances Paul rejoices in the Philippians’ financial gift—but he makes it clear that his contentment isn’t dependent on their generosity. He has learned the “secret” of being content in plenty and in want. His stability doesn’t come from what he has, but from who holds him. True contentment is spiritual steadiness.

Love Gets PersonalPaul’s words in Philippians 4 begin tenderly: “my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown.” His affection is real, relational, and deeply personal. For Paul, joy isn’t just a concept—it’s bound up in people who share in Christ. Relationships in the family of God are not side issues

Pressing On to Know HimPaul confesses that he hasn’t already arrived—but he presses on to take hold of Christ, who has taken hold of him. The Christian life isn’t about perfection; it’s about pursuit. To know Jesus deeply means we keep leaning forward, straining toward what lies ahead, not looking back in regret or pride.

Knowing What’s Truly ValuableThe recent Louvre heist reminds us that people will go to great lengths to possess what they believe is valuable. Yet even treasures worth millions can lose their worth when melted down or stolen. Paul warns us to be careful where we place our confidence and what we count as gain. Religious

Prioritizing People Over PerformanceIt’s easy to focus on performance—the tasks, goals, and outcomes we chase in life. But joy isn’t found in achievement; it’s found in relationships. Like Paul’s care for the Philippians and Timothy’s concern for others, joy is rooted in genuine love for people. The way of Jesus isn’t about simply doing more—it’s

Working out what God has already done in the life of the believer. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Ephesians 6:13 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but