But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man (Matthew 15:18).The Bible stresses that what you say is an accurate indicator of what is in your heart. If your words bless and encourage others, they give evidence of a compassionate heart. If you often share the good news about Christ, you demonstrate a heart that is grateful for your own salvation. When o...  Read More

James 4:8"Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners: and purify your hearts, ye double-minded."For three years I stayed on the move. There was an appointment, ballgame, school, or work everyday. I never sat still. While staying busy was probably needed during this time in my life, it was stunting the growth in my relationship with God. I rarely cracked open my ...  Read More

It is by faith in Jesus Christ alone that we are declared right (justified) before God.  God's gift of faith is the recognition of our utter moral bankruptcy and our inability to earn God's favor and that we must receiver and rest on Jesus Christ who has done it all. Romans 3:21-31 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,...  Read More

John 17:6-12"I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.  Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me.  I as...  Read More

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a reward of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).Your relationship with God is largely determined by your faith. When you come to Him you must believe that He exists and that He is exactly who He has revealed Himself to be in scriptures. You must also believe that He will respo...  Read More

We are often taught the story of Abraham and Sarah bearing a son when they were 100 and 90 years old.  It was a great miracle but their were even greater miracles to come.  Genesis 23:1 tells us that Sarah died when she was 127 years old.  Abraham would have been 137.  He loved Sarah dearly and mourned her passing.  We are not sure how long he mourned, but lets guess 3 years.  He would then have b...  Read More

Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But ...  Read More

John 17:1-5 Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.  This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.  I glorified You on the earth...  Read More

How many days a week do you feel like life is just too complicated? Even if it isn't, it does not take us long to make things complicated. Human beings just have this ability to ramp up everything to the next level.I once tried to plan a simple party...I was going to invite two couples who we are close to, grill hot dogs and hamburgers, and just sit around and hang out. Sounds good, right?Well, in...  Read More

A Tool That Builds Tools is Go'’s Purpose for Your Church.Depending on your job or what you are trying to accomplish, most of us need tools to get the job done.As a nurse, I fill my pockets each morning with the tools I'll need throughout the day:  pens, sticky note pads, pen light, scissors, keys, etc.  When I worked in a different type of nursing position, my pockets were filled with somewhat di...  Read More

The Message of Christ takes a glorious turn from mankind's inability to reflect the image of God with the offer of unconditional love.  The Bible is the love story of God’s revelation of Himself in pursuit of wayward humanity.  This pursuit reaches its climax with the gift of God the Son, Jesus Christ. Luke 15:11-24 A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the sh...  Read More

Nahum 2:1-131  The one who scatters has come up against you. Man the fortress, watch the road; Strengthen your back, summon all your strength.2  For the LORD will restore the splendor of Jacob Like the splendor of Israel, Even though devastators have devastated them And destroyed their vine branches.3  The shields of his mighty men are colored red, The warriors are dressed in scarlet, The chariots...  Read More