Devotionals

After Christmas, new articles in The Brook Letter by Mel Lawrenz: sign up. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. – Luke 2:30-32 The winter solstice on December 21, the darkest day […]

How does “Spiritual Influence” work? Take the Survey. The word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us. – John 1:14 Not only did the Son of God become a baby, but also he became flesh. Divinity joined to corporeal muscle, blood and bones. In this humbling of the eternal Son of God, the Word

This is post #20 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.”Read more devotionals by Mel Lawrenz. They went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. – Matthew 2:9-10 In

After Christmas, new articles in The Brook Letter by Mel Lawrenz: sign up. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and

Learn how “spiritual influence” works. See the survey. And he will be called…Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6 In ancient times, princes, whether they desired it or not, often became warriors. Rulers of nations may talk about peace, but nothing is more elusive than peace. And so, when Isaiah talked about a child who would be

This is post #17 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.” Want to read more devotionals by Mel Lawrenz? And he will be called…Everlasting Father. –Isaiah 9:6 What a remarkable string of names in Isaiah 9:6! Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Now, these were radical statements indeed, and they described the one

This is post #16 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.” Want to read more devotionals by Mel Lawrenz? And he will be called…Mighty God. – Isaiah 9:6 In the Old Testament, some of the prophecies about Christ are mysterious statements. They were so bold and so large that they were treasured through the generations, until

See “A Call for Wisdom in Washington.” For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders…and of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it

This is post #14 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.” Past days HERE. Mel Lawrenz is Minister at Large for Elmbrook Church and directs The Brook Network. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,

This is post #13 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.” After Christmas, new articles in The Brook Letter by Mel Lawrenz: sign up. My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. -Luke 2:46-47 One of the worst things that can happen to a person is to live with a shrunken

Learn how “spiritual influence” works. See the survey. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” –Matt. 1:22-23 My wife and I have only seriously lost

This is post #11 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.” Past days HERE. “Christmas Joy” as eBook HERE. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. –Luke 2:4 Bethlehem was like any other

Mel Lawrenz is Minister at Large at Elmbrook Church and directs The Brook Network. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. –Luke 2:11 Some people think that “Christ” is Jesus’ last name. Jesus Christ, like Joe Johnson or Audrey Smith. If you have thought

This is post #9 in the Christmas devotional “Christmas Joy.”Read more devotionals by Mel Lawrenz. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. – Luke 2:7 Sometimes a name is just a name, and sometimes a name captures

She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. – Luke 2:7 (More on Facebook.) Where is the first place a baby is placed after it emerges from the mother’s womb? Today we use hyper-sterilized blankets and sanitized cribs. A Plexiglas dome, if