Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year for enjoying family and friends. As a National Holiday, it calls us as Americans to reflect on the blessings we have received from God. In the midst of the ambience of cornstalks and pumpkins, of turkeys and cornucopias, of parades and football games, we simply enjoy one another and celebrate our abundance. As with other holidays, however, it is easy to get caught up in the excitement and to forget to truly thank God for His abundant love and grace which He has given to us in Christ Jesus. Also, we sometimes forget that a thankful spirit to the Lord is intended by God to be based on something far deeper than the temporal benefits of life. His providential care, even in the hardest of circumstances and in the worst of times, is a cause for perpetual celebration by the people of God. In fact 1 Thessalonians 5:18 seems to indicate that anytime we are not thankful to God for whatever He is allowing to happen in our lives, we are out of the will of God. This is a tall order, to be sure - but God is faithful to His people and for that we can always be thankful. (42:30)

John 19:38-42 - Through the death of Jesus Christ we are liberated from personal bondage - as illustrated by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. (24:19)

Matthew 1-2 - Joseph of Nazareth was a simple, blue-collar worker who lived in a decadent society. Yet he found strength in God and became a man of integrity that provides us with a great example for Christian men and fathers. (40:56)

What If? - 1 Corinthians 15:17. What if Jesus Christ never rose from the dead? Would that make any difference in your faith? Could you still go on being a Christian? When it comes to eternal life and forgiveness of sins, everything is nothing if Christ did not rise from the dead. Conversely, if the resurrection is true, then salvation in Christ is a glorious hope. (43:06)

Day of the King - The Triumphal Entry - Luke 19:28-44. Palm Sunday is the day on our annual religious calendar when we celebrate the time Jesus Christ officially presented himself to Israel as their King. It has been called the triumphal entry because the procession had all of the celebration of a triumphant King entering the gates of the city. Palm branches were strewn in his path as excited people cried out - Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. At the same time, however, the dark clouds of hostility and rejection were gathering on the horizon as the leaders of Israel were plotting his death. On Sunday the crowds worshipped him as their King, but by Friday they had nailed him to a cross as a criminal. (44:49)

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6 (45:01)

Easter, like Christmas, is a religious paradox. On the one hand, it is a Christian celebration with great biblical meaning - the birth of Christ at Christmas and the resurrection of Christ at Easter. But on the other hand, it is a pagan holiday with heathen origins and with significant mythological connections. As a result of this paradox, many Christians feel like they are on the horns of a dilemma. Since it has heathen connections, they reason, should we as Christians celebrate the holiday? (33:35)

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year for enjoying family and friends. As a National Holiday, it calls us as Americans to reflect on the blessings we have received from God. In the midst of the ambience of cornstalks and pumpkins, of turkeys and cornucopias, of parades and football games, we simply enjoy one another and celebrate our abundance. As with other holidays, however, it is easy to get caught up in the excitement and to forget to truly thank God for His abundant love and grace which He has given to us in Christ Jesus. Also, we sometimes forget that a thankful spirit to the Lord is intended by God to be based on something far deeper than the temporal benefits of life. His providential care, even in the hardest of circumstances and in the worst of times, is a cause for perpetual celebration by the people of God. In fact 1 Thessalonians 5:18 seems to indicate that anytime we are not thankful to God for whatever He is allowing to happen in our lives, we are out of the will of God. This is a tall order, to be sure - but God is faithful to His people and for that we can always be thankful. (42:30)

Born of a Virgin, Part 3 - Hope of the World – Matthew 1:18-25 (38:46)

Born of a Virgin, Part 2 - The Sign - Isaiah 7:14 (45:38)