Christmas

Consider the Birds

By Bobby Schuller Much has changed since the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic a year ago. We’ve shifted and shuffled our habits and routines in an effort to slow the spread of the virus, but the unexpected benefit is that these changes have slowed us down too. I read that during the shutdown last spring, sales of bird feeders, birdhouses, and birdseed skyrocketed, and some products saw as much as a 50 percent jump in sales! While many would attribute this to boredom, I believe there’s more to it. Something about observing the carefree manner of birds soothes the human soul, and while the world outside is full of problems, our feathered friends go about their business unhindered by the chaos of society.  When troubles surround us, it comforts our hearts to consider the birds.  Jesus knew this, so He invited us to ponder the ways of the sparrows and

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February 2021 Powerline

Soaring in the Midst of Uncertainty By Bobby Schuller Here we are — one month into a new year. While things are “looking up” in some ways, I never imagined that the world’s current winter season would be so long. In fact, I can’t think of a more trying stretch in my lifetime, and before we move any further, I just want to speak grace over you. I know this has been a rough road, and I’m proud of how you’ve navigated it with strength, faith, and love.  Renewed strength is grounded in present reality.  As humans, we often adapt to constantly-changing circumstances by “lowering the bar,” going into survival mode, and simply coasting along. But this isn’t the best way. While it requires that we fight against the emotional status quo, the best thing we can do in tough times is to FLY HIGHER. Because our spirits are anchored

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January 2021 Powerline

New is a Process By Bobby Schuller If you’re anything like me, I feel different than I did at this time last year. Living through an unexpected global pandemic, watching the suffering and financial devastation that has ensued, and adapting to life in a post-COVID world has changed my perspective and reminded me of the many things of which I am not in control. Thankfully, I have a relationship with the One who holds the earth — and all that’s in it — firmly in His grip, and He is securely, steadfastly, and steadily making everything NEW.  NEW is a process, and it happens gradually.  Though it’s not as easy to leave the starting gate running this year, as Christians, we can embrace 2021 with the confident assurance that NEW THINGS always spring up from the most parched and barren places. In fact, everything we’ve gone through in the past

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Born to Triumph

“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’” – Revelation 5:5 Merry Christmas! Though it’s been an unprecedented and bumpy road that’s brought us to this December 25, today can be a milestone we’ll never forget, because when we walk through seasons of turmoil and loss, God brings our hearts closer to that which is eternal. While our focus in times gone by has been on entertaining, presents, and holiday “perfection,” this year has made it clear what’s most important. In 2020, none of us will take for granted good health, food on our table, a job that pays the bills, or the loved ones who surround us (even virtually). More importantly, we won’t forget the Guest of Honor at our Christmas

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The Wonder of Worship

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.” – Matthew 2:11 The second offering the Magi presented to Jesus was frankincense, otherwise simply known as incense. Like the gold they brought to Him in abundance, incense was a valuable commodity in the ancient world, and it was used traditionally in temple worship and burned ceremonially by the priests as an offering to the Lord. Known for its calming and healing properties, this second in the trio of original Christmas gifts offers us a message of hope and encouragement in years like this one. Just as gold signifies that Jesus has dominion over the affairs of history, incense denotes that He reigns supreme in the Heavenly realm. While there is a very real spiritual battle raging around us, the baby who was born in Bethlehem triumphed over Satan when

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A Glory Greater Than Gold

“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 when it rose and have come to worship him.’” – Matthew 2:1,2 The Christmas story is full of unexpected encouragement, and though it’s become almost too familiar, its many truths take on new meaning in seasons of testing like the one in which we’re living. I believe this is especially true as we examine the gifts the Magi brought to Jesus — each one of them has the potential to help us as we sort through the 2020 experience. To offer some background, unlike traditional depictions of the nativity, there were probably a lot more than three “wise men.” In fact, the party that traveled from the east was more like

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A Generous Spirit

“But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.” – Philippians 2:25-27 At this special time of year, we hear a lot about generosity. However, more than just buying someone the perfect gift or making a charitable donation, true benevolence is a deeply-rooted state of heart — one that is always willing to go the extra mile. As a study in this manner of kindness, let’s look at a man named Epaphroditus, who was a companion of the Apostle Paul in the New

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December Powerline

Building Forward By Bobby Schuller As we enter this Christmas season, we can do so with the knowledge that as Christians, we have dual citizenship. What I mean is that while we are human beings inhabiting planet earth, our souls reside in the Kingdom of Heaven, which is invisible to our eyes but alive in our spirits. In fact, everything we see around us in the material realm is actually a reflection of something that preceded it spiritually. Even better, all that is created teaches us something about our Savior’s eternal nature (Romans 1:20).  Every physical manifestation mirrors a spiritual truth.  Though it’s not something we often think about, this twofold residency is good news for us in years like 2020. While we’ve all endured difficulties and setbacks over the past ten months, because God has been with us, our spirit — the “inner-person” deep inside — have had opportunities

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Faith, Fellowship and the Fast

“‘Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’” – Joel 2:12 Yesterday, we talked about pressing into Jesus’ presence as we embrace Advent, and today, I want to look at one specific way to do it. I’m a firm believer in giving things up for a season in order to focus on something else. I’ve learned that such exercises in self-denial are good for me because they prove that I can accomplish what I set my mind to, and because they intensify my priorities and clarify my vision. That said, for Christians, one of the best ways to sacrifice is to fast, or to abstain from a particular type of food, entertainment, or pleasure in order to pray and pursue the things of God. A fast can take many different forms — it can be as simple as not eating

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The Immovable Word

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” – John 1:1,2 Well, it’s December of 2020, and we’re preparing to welcome Christmas once again. That said, there’s no doubt that this year looks different. As we continue navigating the ever-changing currents of the COVID-19 situation, flexibility and sacrifice seem to be essentials for survival. While we embrace the holiday season with the knowledge that our country — and our planet — is in a state of uncertainty, we can apply our hearts with greater understanding to the story of Jesus’ birth. You see, on the night He came, Mary and Joseph’s world looked dark. They were in a strange city, she was dealing with the pain of labor, and they couldn’t find a quiet place for her to rest and give birth. I imagine

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