Horizontal grace is our giving to God and to others. We don’t do it to reciprocate but simply because where there is grace there must be giving.

At Christmas, it’s easy to get distracted by the food and traditions and decorations and lose sight of the reason for our celebration. Chuck Swindoll encourages us to slow down and reflect on the wonder of the very first Christmas.

God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is indeed a gift too wonderful for words. And it’s the best gift you’ll ever receive.

The Christmas story is all about redemption. Just like the life-saving gift in this story, God’s gift of salvation saves us from death and gives us a fresh start.

When a baby comes into our lives as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, or sisters, we rejoice in the magnificence of God’s gift of life. But how much more did the family rejoice in wonderment when the child was Emmanuel, God with us? When God took on human flesh at the birth of Jesus, He brought a wonder to the world that had yet to be seen.

Are you acting your age? Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean you can’t stay young. Adding enthusiasm will make a world of difference. None are so old as the one who has outlived enthusiasm.

There has only ever been one perfect gift, and it was given more than 2,000 years ago. This gift is too wonderful for words. In fact, the Bible says it’s indescribable.

When grace fuels us to forgive someone who has offended us, we abundantly release every hint of any offence. When grace is cultivated in our relationship with a friend, an abundance of bountiful freedom marks our friendship. The same bountiful abundance occurs when grace is the motivating factor prompting our giving. In other words, living by faith includes giving by grace.

“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly, not under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). “Cheerful” in Greek actually translated “hilarious.” God loves a hilarious giver—you give because you want to laugh out loud, because your heart is light.

Sexual promiscuity is neither new nor novel. It is as old as humanity, always promising more than it can deliver. More palatable words have replaced the obsolete and ugly ones. Inviting terms cause the ugliness of illicit sex to be veiled in mystery, fascination, and excitement.