Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:18-20)I used to love snow skiing. One time, ...  Read More

“You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God.  I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”   (Ezekiel 34:31) In the prophet Ezekiel’s day, the nation of Israel was in a bad situation. As a result of years of spiritual and cultural compromise, God had allowed judgment to fall on His people. Jerusalem, the Holy City that had served as a source of pride for the Jewish peo...  Read More

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.  (Matthew 7:18-20)Let’s look at four more signs of our faith. As you read these, keep an open mind and a humble heart, and allow the Lord to point out any areas you might need to tackle. 1. Do you love...  Read More

Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil -- they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them.  (Isaiah 33:15-16)As belie...  Read More

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and...  Read More

The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him.  (Acts 11:1-2)Conflict is an inevitable and unavoidable part of life. There is no way you can live on this planet and not face conflict. It’s just not possible. Believe it or not, there is actually a positive side t...  Read More

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.  (James 4:1-2) As we read this Scripture passage, we should note the audience for James’ letter. James was writing to believers. His letter is considered a general epistle, and is therefor...  Read More

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God…Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.   (James 4:4, 7-8) When w...  Read More

“So, because you are lukewarm -- neither hot nor cold -- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”  (Revelation 3:16)Many people have already given their life to Christ. Many Christians are suited up and trained up, but there is a problem. Many believers today need to get up. You should feel a little uncomfortable if you are not getting up. Are you a benchwarmer? You know Christ and you have been f...  Read More

Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’”  (Revelation 10:8-9)In these Scripture ve...  Read More

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”  (Matthew 7:13-14)The last time I was on a thrill ride was at a county fair with my daughter. Because she loves thrill rides, she asked me to go with her on one of those rides. It was ...  Read More

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  (2 Corinthians 5:14)I love the story of Hudson Taylor when he was interviewing possible candidates for missionary work. During the interview process, he asked each of these young people, “Why do you want to become a missionary?”One of them answered, “I just want to be a missionary because there a...  Read More