… pause and calmly think about that.

    Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make.

    Proverbs 3:5 (TPT)

    For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a SAVIOR, who is CHRIST the LORD (the MESSIAH).

    Luke 2:11 (TPT)

    “Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.”

    Luke 2:14 (TPT)

    But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.

    Luke 2:10 (AMP)

    Then a Shoot (the Messiah) will spring from the stock of Jesse [David’s father],
    And a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.

    Isaiah 11:1 (TPT)

    And so the Living Expression became a man and lived among us! And we gazed upon the splendor of his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father overflowing with tender mercy and truth!

    John 1:14 (TPT)

    He will be supreme and will be known as the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God will enthrone him as King on his ancestor David’s throne.

    Luke 1:32 (TPT)

    For the LIGHT of TRUTH was about to come into the world and shine upon everyone.

    John 1:9 (TPT)

    “LORD YAHWEH, YOU are my glorious GOD! I will exalt YOU and praise YOUR NAME forever, for YOU have done so many wonderful things. Well-thought-out plans YOU formed in ages past; YOU’VE been faithful and true to fulfill them all!

    Isaiah 25:1 (TPT)

    Those who walked in darkness have seen a radiant LIGHT shining upon them. They once lived in the shadows of death, but now a Glorious LIGHT has dawned!

    Isaiah 9:2 (TPT)

    I will sing my song to the LORD as long as I live! Every day I will sing my praises to GOD.

    Psalm 104:33 (TPT)

    Everything I am will praise and bless the Lord! O Lord, my God, your greatness takes my breath away, overwhelming me by your majesty, beauty, and splendor!

    Psalm 104:1 (TPT)

    I will bless and praise the LORD with my whole heart! Let all HIS works throughout the earth, wherever HIS dominion stretches, let everything bless the LORD!

    Psalm 103:22 (TPT)

    Bless and praise the LORD, you mighty warriors, ministers who serve HIM well and fulfill HIS desires.

    Psalm 103:21 (TPT)

    Let everyone praise this breathtaking GOD, for HE is holy.

    Psalm 99:3 (TPT)

    Let the ocean’s waves join in the chorus with their roaring praise until everyone everywhere shouts out in unison, “Glory to the LORD!”

    Psalm 98:7 (TPT)

    So go ahead, everyone, and shout out your praises with joy! Break out of the box and let loose with the most joyous sound of praise!

    Psalm 98:4 (TPT)

    I will shout and sing your praises for all you are to me— Savior, lover of my soul!

    Psalm 71:23 (TPT)

    I’m overflowing with YOUR praise for all YOU’VE done, and YOUR splendor thrills me all day long.

    Psalm 71:8 (TPT)

    For I know, YAHWEH, that my praises mean more to YOU than all my gifts and sacrifices.

    Psalm 69:31 (TPT)

    Then my song will be a burst of praise to YOU. My glory-shouts will make YOUR fame even more glorious to all who hear my praises!

    Psalm 69:30 (TPT)

    Let all the nations burst forth with praise; let everyone everywhere love and enjoy YOU!

    Psalm 67:3 (TPT)

    I will forever praise this GOD who didn’t close HIS heart when I prayed and never said no when I asked HIM for help. HE never once refused to show me HIS tender love.

    Psalm 66:20 (TPT)

    Not in the way of eye-service [as if they were watching you] and only to please men, but as servants (slaves) of Christ, doing the will of God heartily and with your whole soul;

    ~ Ephesians 6:6 ‭(AMP)

    Whereas the object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure heart and a good (clear) conscience and sincere (unfeigned) faith.
    ‭‭

    ~ 1 Timothy 1:5 ‭(AMP)

    Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].
    ‭‭

    ~ Philippians 4:8 ‭(AMP)

    Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn’t bother being Christ’s slave.
    ‭‭

    ~ Galatians 1:10 ‭(MSG)

    Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs and tries the hearts.
    ‭‭

    ~ Proverbs 21:2 ‭(AMP)

    You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
    ‭‭

    ~ Isaiah 26:3 ‭(AMP)

    Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other’s counsel.
    ‭‭

    ~ Proverbs 13:10 ‭(MSG)

    [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him,
    ‭‭

    ~ Ephesians 1:17 ‭(AMP)

    A wise man is strong and is better than a strong man, and a man of knowledge increases and strengthens his power;
    ‭‭

    ~ Proverbs 24:5 ‭(AMP)

    For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
    ‭‭

    ~ Proverbs 2:6 ‭(AMP)

    Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.
    ‭‭

    ~ Proverbs 3:7 ‭(AMP)

    The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.
    ‭‭

    ~ Proverbs 9:10 ‭(AMP)

    For wisdom is a defense even as money is a defense, but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom shields and preserves the life of him who has it.
    ‭‭

    ~ Ecclesiastes 7:12 ‭(AMP)

    Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),
    ‭‭

    ~ Ephesians 5:15 ‭(AMP)

    If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.
    ‭‭

    ~ James 1:5 ‭(AMP)

    Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)!
    ‭‭

    ~ Romans 11:33 ‭(AMP)

    The mind of the prudent is ever getting knowledge, and the ear of the wise is ever seeking (inquiring for and craving) knowledge.
    ‭‭

    ~ Proverbs 18:15 ‭(AMP)

    For skillful and godly Wisdom shall enter into your heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant to you.
    ‭‭

    ~ Proverbs 2:10‬ ‭(AMP)

    Your [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high above me, I cannot reach it.
    ‭‭

    ~ Psalm 139:6‬ ‭(AMP)

    For I desire and delight in dutiful steadfast love and goodness, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of and acquaintance with God more than burnt offerings.
    ‭‭

    ~ Hosea 6:6‬ ‭(AMP)

    Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works.
    ‭‭

    ~ Colossians 1:9‬ ‭(MSG)

    And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him–the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord–
    ‭‭

    ~ Isaiah‬ ‭11:2‬ ‭(AMP‬‬)

    Receive my instruction in preference to [striving for] silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,
    ‭‭

    ~ Proverbs 8:10(AMP‬‬)

    Teach me good judgment, wise and right discernment, and knowledge, for I have believed (trusted, relied on, and clung to) Your commandments.
    ‭‭

    ~ Psalm‬ ‭119:66‬ ‭(AMP‬‬)

    Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God’s Word and life’s experiences],

    ~ Proverbs 3:13 (AMP)

    [This is] because the foolish thing [that has its source in] God is wiser than men, and the weak thing [that springs] from God is stronger than men.

    ~ 1 Corinthians 1:25 (AMP)

    The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord brings instruction in Wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

    ~ Proverbs 15:33 (AMP)

    Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

    ~ Proverbs 3:5 (AMP)

    I’ll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers and stutters.

    ~ Luke 21:15 (MSG)

    Hear counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come.

    ~ Proverbs 19:20(AMP)

    How much better it is to get skillful and godly Wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

    ~ Proverbs 16:16(AMP)

    Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!

    ~ Colossians 3:16(MSG)

    The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks with justice.

    ~ Psalm 37:30 (AMP)

    Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand)..

    ~ Jeremiah 33:3 (AMP)

    Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others.

    ~ James 3:17(MSG)

    There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.

    ~ 1 John 4:18(MSG)

    You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

    ~Psalm 119:114 (AMP)

The Story of the Poinsettia

by The_SURGE

The plant we know today as the poinsettia has a long and interesting history. Native to Central America, the plant flourished in an area of Southern Mexico known as Taxco del Alarcon. The Aztecs used the plant for decorative purposes but also put the plant to practical use. They extracted a purplish dye for use […]

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by Laura Mullen

Did you know that there is more meaning to the Candy Cane than just a yummy Christmas treat? Many years ago in Europe, people began to use Candy Canes as a way to tell the Christmas story in a way that was fun and exciting for children.  You see, the candy cane is made from […]

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by The_SURGE

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. —Romans 8:11 NLT The greatest weapon Christ gave us is the sword of the cross. Jesus denied […]

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by The_SURGE

We found this article yesterday posted by Fox News… Check it out and tell us what you think! “Costco-The Bible is Fiction” by Todd Starnes What do the BIBLE, THE HUNGER GAMES and FIFTY SHADES OF GRAY have in common? All three are works of fiction, according to the booksellers at Costco. Pastor Caleb Kaltenbach made […]

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by Victoria Edwards

Have you ever noticed in life how easy it is to let days, weeks, months, and even years go by without thinking much about the unbelievably good things God has done? There isn’t a day that goes by in which you won’t see God’s hand of protection guarding your heart, mind, and life.  He favors […]

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by Victoria Edwards

I’m a worshipper.  I worship.  In the traditional sense, I mean.  I understand that I am worshipping anytime I go out and advertise for the Orthodontics office I work for or even when I am washing the dishes at home… however, my heart beats to musically worship my Father. I was in my church once […]

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by Victoria Edwards

“Beware of seeing yourself through other people’s eyes … It is much more real to see yourself through My eyes … untainted by sin … eternally loved. Respond to My loving Presence by worshiping Me in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23 Jesus Calling-Sarah Young I know someone who absolutely must close his eyes during […]

ROAR!

by The_SURGE

I know you’ve heard it.  Katy Perry’s new hit song, “Roar.”  If you haven’t, you’re probably missing out on one of the best lyrical songs written in a really long time. This message, not the song itself is what I want to share today.  Check out the chorus: I got the eye of the tiger, […]

The Power of Confessions

by Victoria Edwards

These are Confessions I say, out loud, every day!  I speak God’s Truth over my life and my family’s life because saying those things that be not as though they already are, is the best way I know to build my faith, increase my joy, and strengthen my spirit! Now, this is simply a template… […]

It’s the 4th Quarter with 2 Minutes on the Clock

by The_SURGE

You know that feeling you get when the score is tied, there are no time outs left, and the other team has the ball with 1:45 left on the game clock? You can’t sit down. You can’t watch. You can hardly breathe. The opposing team moves the ball to the 5-yard line, and it looks […]