The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 NIV

"Good," "good," "good," and "evil," "evil," "evil." Jesus was a master teacher, the greatest teacher who ever lived. He

They said to Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that He may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines." 1 Samuel 7:8 NIV

It never fails, does it? They always get around to calling on the Lord! Oh, it's easy to forget Him when things are good, but let a little storm come, let a rock get in the saddle, let the bills

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer saying, "Thus far has the Lord helped us." 1 Samuel 7:12 NIV

Stop right now. Look at your life. Has God done anything for you? Mark this place and time so you never forget it again!

Samuel had cried out to the Lord on behalf of the Israelites. The Lord had

in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:3 NIV

If there is something you want to know, ask God. He guarantees you He knows the answer!

When Christ came to Earth He was filled with all the wisdom and knowledge of God. When the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we have access to the richness of God. The great and

My eyes fail looking for your promise. I say, "When will you comfort me?" Psalm 119:82 NIV

Sometimes that's all we can say. Sometimes life produces such heartaches and pain that we simply faint before the Lord and wait for His deliverance. At those times, there is nothing else we can do.

Maybe you have felt that way before. Someone you love

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance 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

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:72 NIV

Please don't fail to see beyond the initial truth of this familiar story.

Yes, this is a story about humility. It is a story

He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. Proverbs 28:26 NIV

Now don't get mad at me, I didn't call you a fool! I just quoted God's Holy Word. But if the shoe fits....

Help me out here. Do you ever trust in your own abilities? Do you get overly confident that you can accomplish your goals? Do you find

Then Jesus declared, "I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35 NIV

Jesus was very specific in this promise. To say that Jesus "declared" is a much stronger statement than to say Jesus "said" something. When Jesus declared this commitment to His people, it was

Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. Joshua 3:4a NIV

If your life is like mine, you will soon encounter something you have never experienced before. Will you know how to handle it?

Life is full of twists and turns, isn't it? Just when you think you have a situation figured out, the rules seem to

This is what your Sovereign Lord says, your God, who defends His people: "See, I have taken out of our hand the cup that made you stagger; from that cup, the goblet of my wrath, you will never drink again." Isaiah 51:22 NIV

Did you know you had a cup? Yes, that's right, you did, and it made you stagger! Did you know that, too?

You see, before

For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die. Philippians 1:20 NLT

Paul was not saying that he had never done anything wrong, or that nothing in his past could

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." John 9:3 NIV

Sometimes we can't understand why bad things happen to good people, even the people of God. We see Christians suffer; we ourselves suffer. We look around to see what God is up to...and quite

Then the Lord said to him, "Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is holy ground." Exodus 3:5

Moses had to get out of his sandals to enter into the holy presence of God. You and I must leave some things behind as well if we are to commune with a Holy God.

Moses was in the middle of the desert. No doubt he was tired and hot.

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NIV

Prior to this verse, the prophet Micah had just asked a series of rhetorical questions, each seeking the same response to the question: what can you give God? What can you give to the

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until He comes and showers righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12 NIV

As I read the Scriptures, a few things are very clear. (I have capitalized the main point to make them easy to find.)

First, GOD WANTS HIS

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I Am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 NIV

When Jesus said "I Am the light," He was claiming to be God. This is what He was crucified for. I t is quite interesting to me, that though many claim He was only a good

HE ONLY is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. Psalm 62:2 KJV

If you are trying to be a rock on your own, WATCH OUT! The forecast is calling for rough winds throughout the next century or at least until Jesus returns.

I use several versions of the Bible, but for this verse I particularly like the King