They do not practice what they preach. —Matthew 23:3 This is voiced by Jesus about the religious leaders in His day. It is not a positive comment. Today there are those who say this about some who are church-goers and at times they surely have a point. We who follow the Lord Jesus Christ, whether a leader or not, ought to be applying the Word we preach and teach to our own lives. Those around us will be quick to pick up whether or not we are “walking our talk.” A life that is applying the Word of God will be a life that radiates His character. Years ago when…

Then, surrounded by the Pharisees, Jesus asked them a question: “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They replied, “He is the son of David.” Jesus responded, “Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, call the Messiah ‘my Lord’? For David said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.’ Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?” No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions. —Matthew 22:41-46 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BARVAg0gl6w They could…

Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God” (Matthew 22:21). Will you cheat on your taxes? Will you give to God what is His? This article says that “All told, as many as 30 to 40 percent of Americans won’t pay all of the taxes they owe in 2011.” http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Latest-News-Wires/2011/0413/Tax-evasion-Why-do-so-many-Americans-cheat. When it comes to giving to charity, Americans give 2.2% of their income http://nccs.urban.org/nccs/statistics/Charitable-Giving-in-America-Some-Facts-and-Figures.cfm. It is my hope that we followers of Jesus Christ are faithful in paying our taxes. But how faithful are we in giving to God? This last article above said those giving to religious organizations gave 1.8%…

The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on. —Matthew 21:42, 44 Rejection of Jesus is an eternal mistake. To reject the One who created all things and sustains them is forever fatal. He Who is all powerful beyond our ability to fully grasp came to this planet because of His love which we barely comprehend because He desires us to be in relationship with Him. Yes, this is the love God has for us and His Awesome…

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. —Exodus 20:7 You are at work or at school when someone hurts themselves and cries out “Jesus Christ!” Or, a person gets really excited about something and they yell out “Jesus Christ!” Maybe a person is sorrowing over a situation and says “Jesus Christ!” Think about this: Why do people punctuate their sentences with the Name of Jesus Christ? A person may be mad, sad or glad and then they communicate their feelings by using the Name of Jesus Christ to punctuate those…

But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders… —Exodus 18:21 People who do not fear God will be susceptible to being bribed. Bribes corrupt leaders so they will do things for others because they are getting a pay back of some sort. If there is corruption among leaders in a nation, state, city or town you can count on bribery taking place. Here’s an interesting title to an article— “Why Congress Cannot Operate Without The Bribing Power Of Earmarks.” http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2012/12/29/why-congress-cannot-operate-without-the-bribing-power-of-earmarks/#3a692b316fb8 When we take a look at the financial unhealthiness of our nation it helps us understand how we…

The Lord reigns for ever and ever. —Exodus 15:18 Jesus is our King. Herod tried to kill Jesus. The Jewish people rejected Jesus as does much of the world today. But, Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. He has all authority on earth and heaven! (Matthew 28:18-20). “If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it” (Psalm 50:12). The world is a mess because of the devil who is a liar and murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). Those who have not trusted the Lord Jesus need to “come to their senses and escape from the…

Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ —Matthew 18:32-33 Do we truly understand the “tremendous debt” that God has forgiven us when we trusted the finished work of Jesus at the cross? Sin is contrary to God’s character and is an affront to Him. We cannot fully understand His Word if we do not understand the unholiness of sin and the holiness of God. Nor will we understand the judgments of God in the Old Testament…

But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God. Exodus 9:30 A nation’s leaders who “do not fear the Lord God” is a nation whose leaders will be unrestrained in their attitude toward the people they lead. They will be calloused to the condition of the general populace and they will only have their own comfort in mind. Years ago I had read a book about Russia that a reporter, Hedrick Smith, from the New York Times had written. Yeah, this was years ago… published in the 1970’s. While he had spent a few years in Russia he wrote this book. He said at…