birth of Jesus Christ with three kings and angel painting

Advent–God abiding with us

by Lena Larson “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV) Advent—the season we celebrate the miraculous moment when God came to live among us, when He shared our human existence. It’s one…

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Christmas Ornament

Advent–God abiding with us

by Sarah Bentley “And they will name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God with us.’” (Matthew 1:23, NET) Christmas was long-anticipated this year. People started talking about it in October. And as someone who routinely puts up her tree on the first of November, even that was a little early for me. But I get it.…

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green leafed plant

Well Pleased in Pruning, Pleading, and Abiding

by Leslie Hall I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in…

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flowers in wheelbarrow

Pruning in Love’s Context

by Doug Mitts As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. (1…

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black bird on gray concrete fence during daytime

Abiding in Pain

by Lena Larson “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:1-2,ESV) Pruning. In my head it makes sense. Fruit trees are pruned to…

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girl smiling while lying on grass field at daytime

Just Look at Jesus

by Sarah Bentley Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. (John 15:4, TLV) I was overwhelmed. I hadn’t had quiet time in months. With a 1.5 and a 2.5 year old, my daily time with God had dwindled to Please be here today in the mornings, and I missed you today at night.…

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cherry tree

Fruit Happens

by Doug Mitts And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. (Matthew 13:23, NAS95) I love the metaphors of Scripture. They possess a simplicity that…

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green grass field during daytime

On the Rocks

by Karen Huber I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well.…

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round red fruit

Which Fruit?

by Fred Swartz “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:8, ESV) I keep coming back to this scripture now that I’ve been in full-time ministry for a few years. What kind of fruit in my life glorifies the Father? I suppose there…

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brown trees with white fog during daytime

Living His Word

by Doug Mitts Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” (John 14:23, NAS95) Obedience can sound or feel offensive. Interestingly, when it comes to God, I can think His…

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