jesse tree

The wonder of Christmas is that God comes down. Jesus humbles himself, leaving the glory of heaven that he deserves, to be born a baby in Bethlehem. But if we leave Jesus in the manger, we miss the point! (Matthew 1:23).

The birth of the Savior of the World isn’t only announced to lowly humble shepherds; they’re invited to meet him. It’s an open invitation to all, even now (Luke 2:1-21).

Scripture reveals details about Joseph’s character that God already knows. He’s a just man unwilling to put Mary to shame and plans to divorce her quietly. But an angel tells Joseph in a dream that this is no ordinary conception (Matthew 1:18-25).

Mary considers her unusual situation as a privilege and praises God, saying, “He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name” (Luke 1:26-56).

Repentance is recognizing that all the detours of our own efforts and good works can’t get us home. It’s turning away from the path of our own selfish desires, turning to God, and trusting his perfect path instead (Matthew 3:1-17).

After the baby is born, Elizabeth names him John. Everyone questions why she wouldn’t name him after his father or at least give him a family name. When Zechariah confirms her choice in writing, his voice returns (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80).

Mordecai is confident that God will deliver them with or without her. God doesn’t need us, but wants us to be involved in building his kingdom. Will we take for granted our position while ignoring the opportunity God has given us to fulfill his purposes? (Esther 1-10)

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” is more than the name of a Christmas carol. It’s where God chose to become man. Micah reiterates that God isn’t interested in external actions without internal change. Humility is the first step (Micah 5:2-5a, 6:8).

Usually prophets receive a word from the Lord to share with God’s people. The books named after them share that message. But the book of Jonah is mostly about Jonah. Instead of following through he flees, thinking he can hide from our all-knowing God. (Jonah 1-4).

Sometimes we invest all our energy, effort, and devotion into something false that leaves us empty. At other times we divide our loyalty between God and self. But our faithful God answers prayer and draws our hearts back to him (1 Kings 18:17-40).

Isaiah’s prophesy is a reminder that God is faithful and will fulfill his promise. He uses four names to describe a future davidic king found in Jesus: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6–7).

God looks beyond the appearance of following the rules or looking the part. He sees into the depths of our hearts and knows our fears, desires, and potential. God sees in David what even his own family dismissed (1 Samuel 16:1-13).

Ruth, refusing to leave her mother-in-law, forsakes her family, culture, and gods to bind herself to Naomi, her people, and most importantly, to the God of Israel (Ruth 1-4).

Tying a cord to a window seems like such a small thing. It’s not even a hard thing, but it is a required thing. Our scarlet cord is the blood of Jesus and faith in him is the only way we are saved (Joshua 2, Joshua 6).

Our merciful and gracious God knew beforehand how stubborn his people would be and how often we would break his law and in so doing, break his heart (Exodus 20).

Joseph’s brothers fear he had only been faking forgiveness for the sake of their father. How could it possibly be real? They don't deserve the abundance they now enjoy when what they did to him was repulsive. The sins of their past keep them from enjoying the blessings of the present (Genesis 50:15-21).

Jacob is chosen by God to inherit the promise of Isaac and Abraham by no merit of his own. He certainly didn’t do anything worthy to deserve it. It’s the same with us. We can do nothing to earn God’s favor. We deserve death but because of who he is, we receive life (Genesis 28:20–21).

God promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky through his son Isaac. Then he commands the unthinkable: offer his son and only heir to his promise as a sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-5).

A promise is only as good as its maker. We can always trust God to fulfill his word, but we must submit to his timing. God doesn’t need our assistance! (Genesis 16:20-21).

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of…

Being favored by God doesn't guarantee a life of ease. For Noah, it meant building something that didn't make sense, being shut up in a boat for a week before a drop of rain fell, cleaning up after a bunch of animals, and being confined for a very long time (Genesis 6:5–8).

The crafty serpent doesn’t suggest blatant disobedience. He subtly appeals to Adam and Eve's pride and tempts them by twisting the truth.(Genesis 3:1–5).

In the beginning, the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. With the power of his word, he created light and separated it from darkness. He breathed us into life. Every person is made in the image of God, although we often fail to properly reflect that image (Genesis 1:1-4, John 1:1-5).

David was the son of Jesse and a great king of Israel. God had promised his people a king from David’s line, but having a stump for a family tree didn’t seem promising (Isaiah 11:1, 10).