But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed. —II Peter 2:1-3 “The church only wants your money! That is all the church is after!” How many times have…

Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. —I Peter 5:2-3 Any ministry we are involved in, whether caring for the flock or any other type of work for the Lord, we are doing so not because of what “we can get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.” Think of it. Why do I do what I do? Am I doing it for…

Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. —I Peter 4:4 When a person truly trusts the Lord Jesus Christ their priorities change. Friends at the time do not understand and think it strange that you don’t want to the wild things you used to with them. A few years ago my sister ran into an old high school classmate of mine and told her what I was presently doing. The former classmate was shocked, understanding what I used to be like. Other friends thought I was just going through a stage,…

“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” —I Peter 3:10-12 How thankful are you and I today? We live in a country where we have great freedoms. Yes, they definitely are under attack today as there are those who always have sinister plans as they are moved by the…

“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a…

But the word of the Lord remains forever.” —I Peter 1:25 What or who can you fully and completely trust? Only God’s Word will remain forever and can be totally trusted. Yet so many people will not trust the Word of God but will trust in the word of man. I find it amazing how people will just follow what other people have to say and mostly without checking it out. God’s Word is the only foundation and measurement to discern what is true. We will be celebrating Thanksgiving here in the U.S. in a couple days. In a message I shared at the church I pastor I mentioned four…

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. —James 5:13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reHcKkKPPos&list=PLcHqC9YNzSaD-O-rkP9o8hDA9jJ_oja4l When going through difficulty are we likely to go immediately right to God with it? When we are happy are we likely to respond by singing praises to Him? These are the responses this verse above from James says we are to have. May it be so! Our world is filled with hardship, but what would our world be like if all those going through hardship prayed to the Lord God Almighty? This is not what most people do though. The responses I have heard is that many blame…

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. —James 4:14 Life… is… short! Take a look at your own life right now. How old are you? Isn’t hard to believe that we are at this stage in our life already? We live a mere century if that. Yet it would take us millions upon millions of light years to travel our universe to even begin its exploration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaOCQCQGkEE The above verse illustrates the brevity of our lives— it “is like the morning fog— it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPGrNvbS3Mk…

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is…

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?… Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?… So you see, we are shown…