“Amazing Grace” – Celebrating the New Year with Newton
By Jeff Pallansch |
“Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.…” I imagine we are all familiar with this beloved song, but do you know that John Newton wrote it to strengthen his congregation as they entered the New Year? He originally titled it “Faith’s Review and Expectation.” Devoted to writing a new hymn each week, Newton crafted this one to coincide with his New Year’s sermon for January 1, 1773. New Years that year fell on a Friday, and during that special service, Newton spoke from 1 Chronicles 17:16-17. In this passage, King David responds in praise and ...
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New Year, Renewed Faith
By Dillon Burroughs |
The new year makes a great time to consider how to renew our faith as well. Many will make resolutions, but a spiritual goal for the next 12 months can have an eternal impact. What are some practical ways to renew your faith in 2021? What kind of spiritual resolutions could we consider for the new year? When King David renewed his commitment to the Lord, he began with prayer: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). As we pray about spiritual goals, consider the following four practical areas for ...
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Christmas Through the Eyes of the Shepherds
By Jeff Pallansch |
Imagine what it must have been like that night when the shepherds first heard of their Savior. When the darkness that surrounded them was overtaken by the radiance of God’s glory and the quietness of the night was met with a lifechanging message. It was a night when God led dirty shepherds to the spotless Lamb. Christmas is about God drawing near. It is when we celebrate Him coming to dwell with us in the everyday elements of our world, meeting with us where we would least expect Him. It recalls how overlooked places like fields and stables with ordinary ...
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The Prophecies of Christmas
By Dillon Burroughs |
Many Christmas messages refer to the birth of Jesus fulfilling Bible prophecy. But what predictions did the coming of Jesus fulfill? Why do these prophecies matter? The numerous fulfilments of Scripture at the birth of Christ provide confidence God’s Word is true. In addition, fulfilled prophecy confirms Jesus is really the Messiah. The following prophecies are some of the examples found throughout the Old Testament. Prediction 1: Born of a Woman The earliest prediction related to the coming of Jesus as the Messiah is found in the first book of the Bible—Genesis. In Genesis 3:15, God promises, “And I will put enmity between ...
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Questions About the Wise Men
By Dillon Burroughs |
Christmas nativity scenes often include three wise men riding camels and bringing gifts for baby Jesus. However, many misconceptions exist regarding the nature, timing, and role of these wise men. What does the Bible teach about the wise men? Who Were the Wise Men? Matthew is the only New Testament writer to mention the wise men. Matthew 2:1 identifies the wise men, saying, "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem…." Matthew's Gospel tells us much less than we might prefer. We are only told these men ...
Read More WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A PRAYER WARRIOR?
Here at the John Ankerberg Show we know how powerful prayer can be - both personally and as a ministry staff - as we have seen God answer prayers for things that seemed impossible at the time.
Likewise, praying for others can be one of the best gifts you can offer. Lots of people share prayer requests from around the world, and we have worked to facilitate a community of prayer warriors to commit to praying for these requests. A commitment to pray for these people and situations means so much to us and to the people sharing the requests. As Christians, this gives us the opportunity to share each other’s burdens and lift one another up before the Lord, even if we have never met in person.
SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK
Isaiah 46:9
"I am God, and there is no other. I am God, there is none like me. "
Interested in Praying for Others?
See and pray for the needs of others when you visit our Prayer Wall page.