All Articles 2004 Archives

For over 30 years, Heartlight has shared articles to help people live for Jesus in everyday life. While we are no longer publishing new articles, this enduring collection features relevant pieces throughout the year to encourage faith, offer biblical perspective, and speak to real-world joys and struggles.

Our Motivation

While heaven and hell, punishment and reward, may be motivation for our behavior, eventually God wants us to be motivated by love.

Old farmer wisdom strikes again?

A Gift Certificate for Jesus?

The wise men brought gifts to Jesus that reflect their respect, time, thoughtfulness, and generosity -- but what kind of gifts do we give to Jesus?

What have you come to offer Jesus?

Buy Your Own Gift!

We couldn't pay the debt of our sin, so God paid it for us in Jesus, but will we accept this gift?

Could you afford the price of this gift?

Living with the Gift

God's gift of grace in Jesus' Christ carries with it the responsibility to live changed lives.

What difference does this gift make in your life?

After the Christmas Lights are Gone

We are called to live for Jesus after the Christmas lights quit twinkling.

Will we follow Jesus now that Christmas is over and the New Year approaches?

The White Envelope: A Follow Up

Christmas can be a blessing even in the face of grief as the White Enevelope shows.

When Christmas is more than Christmas.

The White Envelope

Christmas is about giving and not receiving, especially when we can give gifts that bless others and continue giving after we are gone.

Can we make more of Christmas than tinsel and gifts?

My Christmas Present

Sometimes we get the service we suggest by the way we present ourselves to others.

What can we learn from a bad Christmas shopping experience?

O That Christmas Spending!

We don't have to become Scrooge to be responsible at Christmas and yet still keep the meaning of the season.

Is there more to the season than the spending?

What about Xmas?

Knowing what to do about the birth of Jesus is quite a dilemma, however, we do need to acknowledge he was born and respond appropriately.

What are we supposed to do about Christmas?

Happy Birthday Bro!

We are thankful for our brothers' birthdays, but our Big Brother's birthday is the most important of them all.

What are you supposed to do with those December birthdays?

Baby Worship

Why would anyone want to seek Jesus? Just to worship him!

Why make such a long and costly trip to see a baby?

Another Reason Not To ...

The holidays, and life in general, are not about drinking.

Why would anyone do that on national television?

One of Us

Jesus faced what we face in death so that we know he knows us.

Who would ever believe he would do it?

The Picture

This once in a lifetime event occurred: Jesus was born and place in a manger.

What is the story behind this picture?

Guilt by Any Other Name

We can try all sorts of things, but only Jesus can take our guilt away.

How do we get rid of it?

Damaged and Discarded

We can reclaim those who have been discarded and reclaim them for God.

Can you find value in what has been discarded?

Buried in My Old Attic?

Little things mean a great deal during the Christmas season. Let's not forget to do them.

Will this Christmas season be lost in things left behind?

Christ and Christmas

You can't take Christ out of Christmas even if you try.

Is he in there for you?

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

What would happen if we matched our Christmas decorations spending with help for those in need?

What does your neighborhood look like?

Removing the Evidence

Hiding sin doesn't help anyone so let's come clean before God.

Have you hidden the evidence or are you open with God?

Make Every Day Like Christmas

Wouldn't the world be a better place if we lived as each day were Christmas?

Why can't every day be like Christmas?

It Only Comes with Rain

Only God can bring new life with refreshment through his holy spirit.

Some things we just can't do!

With Power

The gospel is about a lot more than words -- without the power of a transformed life it means little.

Is it more than just mere words?

Hard Winter Chill

We can survive times of trouble, trials, and temptation if we prepare.

Are you ready for the hard chill that's coming?