If we give God things in hope that they'll earn us blessings, we're really not doing anything for him. It's for ourselves.

Even if 80 percent of the population of a country are Christian believers, they will have almost no cultural influence if the Christians do not live in cultural centers and work in culture-forging fields such as academia, publishing, media, entertainment, and the arts. The assumption that society will improve simply be more Christian believers being present is no longer valid.

The prerequisite for receiving the grace of God is to know you need it.

As things are brought back under Christ's rule and authority, they are restored to health, beauty, and freedom.

Grace is humbling and restorative. It pulls you down because Christ had to die for you, but also lifts you up because he wanted to die for you.

Rejoicing and repentance must go together. Repentance without rejoicing will lead to despair. Rejoicing without repentance is shallow and will only provide passing inspiration instead of deep change.

Christmas is telling you that you could never get to heaven on your own. God had to come to you.