As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said was wise and helpful. 1 Samuel 3:19 NCV

Lord, help me today to be like Samuel!

Do you ever wish you could grab back something you said? You didn't mean it quite the way it came out at the time. You meant to say .....

well...you get the idea.

I'll never forget the time I told

The Lord you God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

Now, will you imagine that! God takes delight in you! He rejoices over you with singing! Amen!

I love the smile on my sons' faces when I tell them how special they are to

At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. Zephaniah 3:20a NIV

Home: What do you think of when you hear that word?

I'm not sure what mental image you get when you hear the word home. Unfortunately there are so many people today who come from "homes" that are anything but lovely. An abusive parent; a broken marriage;

The Master was full of praise. "Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!" Matthew 25:21 NLT

The words we all long to hear! Amen?

I don't know about you, but I want to hear my Father's approval. Sometimes I just can't

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Luke 6:32a NIV

I wonder if Jesus got an answer to this question!

You know as I do that it is easier to love some people than others. Some people quite frankly are just difficult to love. (No names necessary, but you know who I'm talking about.)

Jesus doesn't always call us to easy tasks,

You may say to yourselves, "These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?"

No doubt, if this week is like most of the others I have ever lived, I will say it many times over!

I don't know about you, but at least once a week, I face an obstacle that is too big for me. I don't know what to do with it. I can't find a solution. It

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1 NIV

I was really just kidding. You know the way a father teases his children. At least I think all fathers do!

My 7 year old son was playing a football video game. He kept telling me how it works; carefully going over every single play. After a few minutes,

So be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the Lord! Psalm 31:24 NLT

Because you don't have to be afraid! That's why!

I know what you're thinking. Life is tough, and then you die! Life has dealt you some pretty serious blows lately. The world has treated you like an orphan.

You have bills you cannot pay and relationships that

Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and import duties, and give respect and honor to all to whom it is due. Romans 13:7 NLT

This weekend was a basketball weekend. It was unusually warm for February, so we got up early Saturday to make a full day of outside activities. I was making breakfast by 8 AM, and by 9, I was outside with our

Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again......my Savior and my God! Psalm 43:5 NLT

Sometimes, in the middle of the a trying time, right about the third hour of my self-invited pity party, I have to stop for a reality check, in order to get through the rest of the day!

I don't know about you, but when

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 1 Peter 3:15a NIV

A lot of people claim to know Christ, but those who are truly His, are those who have chosen in their hearts to make Him Lord!

Lord indicates one of authority. In the truest sense Lord means boss. I think most of us have a pretty good understanding of that word!

Sometimes the word boss

Accept Christians who are weak in faith, and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. Romans 14:1 NLT

My 10 year old ask tonight if he was a role model to anyone. It was a good opportunity to explain to him what an affect he has on his little brother, and so many others younger than him.

The same holds true in the church

In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. Each person should have a personal conviction about this matter. Romans 14:5 NIV

I don't know if you mow your lawn on Sunday or not, and to be honest with you, that's not my concern!

I have heard this argument all my life. I'm sure you have as

From birth I was cast upon you, from my mother's womb you have been my God. Psalm 22:10 NIV

I proud of a Christian heritage! Amen?

I know so many people that don't have that to be thankful for. I know Christians who never heard the word of God until they were late in life. I know people that to them, the name of Jesus was just a cuss word. I have

Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:16-17 NIV

I saw a television show the other day. The characters were high powered, wealthy business people from New York City. They lived a fast life

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 NIV

Don't you love it when you have a great word from God to carry you through the week?

My dear Pastor shared with us 1 John 4:4 Sunday night. As he reminded us that we are on the winning side, I was

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children Ephesians 5:1 NIV

My wife has her own bathroom. You know, it's the one she keeps all her "stuff" in. The boys and I are allowed in there only in the strictest emergency situations, as long as we don't leave a mess and don't bother any of the "stuff". On a shelf in the room, my wife has her

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentence and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength" Isaiah 30:15 NIV

There are so many who are still trying to do it on their own. Sometimes one of those is me!

When will we learn. We aren't saved by what we do, and our strength doesn't come from our

So why do you condemn another Christian? Why do you look down on another Christian? Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgement seat of God. Romans 14:10 NLT

Let me get straight to the point today: It is not our job to be the Christian behavior police!

Now don't get me wrong, there are strict Biblical guidelines for handling

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:3 NIV

Paul, the writer of this letter to the Galatian church, combined the words grace and peace often in his introduction. The most interesting point to me is that the word grace always comes first. In the writings of Paul, you'll never find peace....unless it is