The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1: 1-7, NIV. Merciful God, please come by here at this time and help us as we seek to do Your...

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1: 1-7, NIV. Holy Father and our God, today we bow our hearts and our minds to the guidance of Your...

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1: 1-7, NIV. Merciful Father and Gracious God, Please be very near to us as we study Your Word this day,...

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1: 1-7, NIV. Most Gracious God and Heavenly Father, we rejoice that we can meet and study Your Word in complete...

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1: 1-7, NIV. Most Merciful God, this morning we thank You for showing us mercy, by not leaving us to grope...

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2: 19, NIV. Dear God, please teach us the things that we should treasure, and the things that we need to let go of, as we enter the study of Your Word. This we ask in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen. As I search Scripture I find that Mary is not a person of many words. But she does some deep thinking! Our Scripture for today speaks of one of those moments of profound reflection, after she heard the report of the shepherds:  "But Mary...

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:  “ Lord, now You...

" . . . He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Luke 1: 32, 33. Dear God and Father, today we thank You for the opportunity to study Your Word once more. Please stay with us and help us to learn the lessons that You have in store for us today. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. Our Scripture for today is taken...

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2: 10, NIV. Dear God we thank You so much that the birth of Your Son has brought us the Good News of great joy, to take the place of our fears. Please make this plain to us as we study Your Word. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. It is just wonderful to see how much the birth of Jesus has done for the human race, and for all creation! He...

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. Luke 2: 21, NKJV. Dear God, we thank You for Jesus, our Savior! Please continue to bless us and keep us faithful. This we ask in His blessed name. Amen! Today, in contemplating the blessings derived from Christ's birth, we will consider the name of the Baby, "born King of the Jews" - Jesus! This is the Greek form of the Hebrew name, Joshua (The New Oxford Annotated Bible, NRSV, pg. 9, NT). This...