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…

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his…

THE WAY THE LOST TREAT YOU IS HOW THEY ARE TREATING JESUS Then he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.” —Luke 10:16 When Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus He said, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4). What was being done to the followers of Jesus was being done to Jesus. So it is with the message we have to bring to those who do not know Jesus. The one who accepts the message is also accepting Jesus.…

She thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” —Mark 5:28 When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” —Luke 8:47-48 This woman who “suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding” believed that if she just touched Jesus she would be healed. Jesus said that her faith (in Him) had made her well. This woman knew without a doubt that…

VICTORIES WITH MANY OF FEWThe Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength. ‘Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain and go home.’” So 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight. But the Lord told Gideon, “There are still too many! Only 300 of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank with their mouths in the stream. The Lord told Gideon, “With these 300 men I will…