Do You Feel Defeated?

Do you ever feel defeated and ready to give up? Even if you feel like it, you really should never give up.

Do you ever feel alone and don't know who to turn to? If you do, there is some one you can turn to at a time like this. The God who built the universe is out there and will be happy to listen to you.

The Bible says, "The Lord knows those who trust in Him" (Nahum 1:7). So have faith in Him and you will not feel defeated. You will find your impossibilities will become possible and because He loves you, He will not let you be defeated.

Ed Unruh

Merry Christmas!

Faith and Determination

With faith and determination you can accomplish anything you want. Where does your faith come from? If you know the living Saviour you already have faith, because you used your faith when you accepted Him.

Where does determination come from? It comes from desire. So, with desire, your determination is possible. In Mark 9:23 we read, "all things are possible to the one who believes". And, because you believe, you now have the faith and determination you need to pursue your goal.

Ed Unruh

Families and Gifts

Everyone looks forward to Christmas, because that is the time when families come together with gifts in celebration of the very first Christmas.

In Luke 2:11, we read how God had a host of angels brought in to let the shepherds know about the family that had arrived in Bethlehem. And when they were told that Jesus was born in a stable behind the Inn, they left their sheep and went immediately to where the family was and bowed down to worship the newborn baby Jesus, who was God's gift to the world.

Many gifts have been given at Christmas, but, for over 2000 years God's gift to the world has been the greatest gift of all.

Ed Unruh

Do Unto Others

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". This is known as the Golden Rule. Many people have tried to live by this principle over the years. However, not many have succeeded in doing so.

Terrorists, for example, do not have any consideration for other people. Terrorists have a sacrifice/suicide attitude that causes death to others.

The Bible confirms the golden rule in Matthew 7:12, which says, "however you want people to treat you, so treat them". So as you go about your daily tasks, do what you can for those you come in contact with. This will make you a better person and you will be glad you did it.

Ed Unruh

Stepfathers

Stepfathers have the same family responsibilities as fathers. When God's son Jesus was born, Joseph was chosen to be His stepfather. So, let's see just what kind of example he was 2000 years ago.

First of all, he was righteous and obedient to God (Mt.1:24). As a stepfather, he did not want the virgin Mary to be disgraced, so he took her as his wife, just as God had requested.

He was a moral and virtuous man, because he kept Mary a virgin until she gave birth to her son Jesus. Then as a carpenter, Joseph was a respected tradesman in his community. With these qualities, along with his responsibility to rear the Son of God, Joseph was the greatest stepfather that ever lived.

Ed Unruh

Doing My Thing

If you are going to "do your thing", is it really the right thing to do? Did you ask yourself, will it hurt anybody? Will it make a difference? Is it really the right thing to do?

If you have to give these questions a second thought, maybe you should change your mind and not do "that" thing? After all, you really want to do what is right, don't you?

In Romans 12:17 it says, "Respect what is right in the sight of all man". So, when you think about "doing your thing", is it respectful and honest, if it is, go ahead and do it.

Ed Unruh

Doing God's Will

Have you ever experienced a time when everything seemed to go wrong and then discovered you were not doing God's will?

In the book of Jonah, chapter one, we read that God told Jonah to go to Nineveh. However, he went in the opposite direction and ended up in the belly of a whale.

God used a drastic method to get Jonah's attention and got him to do His will. God desires for each of us to do His will also (Phil.2:13).

Therefore, let us keep focused on God, for when we do, we will have the best life that God has to offer.

Ed Unruh

Gifts

Gifts come in different sizes and different wrappings. They even come from relatives and friends - and God in heaven.

Over two thousand years ago God sent us His special gift. This gift was for everyone and it was His Son Jesus.

May this gift be yours today and may the Holy Spirit be allowed to dwell in you this coming year (I John 2:20).

Ed Unruh

"X" the Unknown

What do you think of when you see the word Xmas? First of all, the letter X relates to an unknown entity and could be a person, place or thing. So, how do you describe the word "xmas"?

When the x is capitalized, it could refer to a major holiday or anything and could lose it's significance, especially if it is substituted for the Christ of Christmas.

After all, Christ is the One who was born in Bethlehem of Judea (Luke 2:4-7). Later in His life, He would be crucified for your sins and mine. Then on the third day, He rose from the dead finalizing His purpose on this earth. Do you know Him as your personal saviour? Let us respect Christ and change Xmas back to Christmas where it deserves to be.

Ed Unruh

Does God Ever Forget?

There is only one true God, and He knows the past, the present and the future. If He knows everything, is it possible for Him to forget?

According to Isaiah 43:25, The Bible says, "God wipes out our transgressions". That means, when we come to God and confess our sins, He wipes out the sin we ask Him to forgive. In this same verse, God admits that He will remember our sins no more.

That sounds like He actually forgets, right after He forgives. Yes, it is true, God can forget, in fact, it's His choice to do so -- aren't you glad it is!

Ed Unruh