“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” —Luke 16:13 Who is your master? Who or what is it that controls you, motivates you and is what you live for? The answer determines your destiny… forever! There is only One King of the Universe and every single one of us will see Him! This is true for those who believe and for those who do not— It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will…

As that old proverb says, ‘From evil people come evil deeds.’ —I Samuel 24-:13 Or as Jesus said— “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 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 7:15-20 As David…

We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. — Luke 15:23 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found! —Luke 15:32 Celebrate the lost when they return home! Oh, to see the lost respond to the gospel is truly a time to get excited about! People are wasting away their lives in so many ways. There are those whose lives “look” good and those whose lives “look” bad from…

In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! —Luke 15:7 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents. —Luke 15:10 When was the last time you saw a lost person repent and experienced the joy that the angels do in the very presence of God? What joy it is to see a person call on the Lord for salvation, turning from their own ways to follow His ways. Oh, that we might experience that joy today as…

The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. —I Samuel 16:7 What is going on in the hearts of all the people in our sphere of influence? So many people around us put on a good face, but inwardly they are in turmoil. Many are going through broken relationships, but they don’t share their pain with anyone. Some are really struggling at their jobs, but they keep it hush, hush. There are those with various addiction and others who wrestle with depression, but they don’t want to let others know about it and seek to mask…

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’…

Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! —I Samuel 12:21 What are you putting your hope in today? Money, fame, a good job, a good family, good grades, a good car, a good home… All these things are fine, but where is the foundation for your life? These should not and cannot be the foundation of our lives. Jesus is the cornerstone that gives hope to all who will rest on Him. All other ways are idols and worthless. Jesus is with us in the storms of life and helps us through them. He is the only One who can be…

And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. —Luke 13:3 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). The Lord desires those who do not know Him to repent of their “sins and turn to God.” Repentance is a change of mind about sin and calling it for what it is— wicked rebellion against God. Repentance is a change of direction. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and…

May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” —Ruth 2:12 You have heard about the fire that consumed a barn and the farmer who had walk through the rubble afterwards. He saw a dead hen and moved it with his foot. To his utter surprise there were live chicks underneath her. She had spread her wings over her chicks to protect them from the fire and they had accepted the refuge she offered. They were saved through her sacrifice. The Lord God Almighty is a refuge for all who have called on His Name…

Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” —Luke 11:28 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” —John 8:31-32 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” —John 14:21 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise…” —Matthew 7:24 “Not everyone…