See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. —I John 3:1 This headline says it all… http://video.foxnews.com/v/4644810581001/alveda-king-on-rampage-we-have-to-pray-and-get-direction/?intcmp=hpvid1#sp=show-clips and Alveda King has it right. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Satan “has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays…

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. —I John 2:16-17 Things that people crave: “craving for physical pleasure, craving for everything we see, pride in our achievements and possessions.” Black Friday, Cyber Monday… are ruses to draw people to stuff in hopes that they will buy. The cravings for getting more possessions has caused the trampling of people and some have…

If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. —I John 1:10 Broken people… we see them in hospitals with some sort of physical brokenness and we see them in churches with spiritual brokenness. Hospitals deal with people who have physical needs and churches work with people who have spiritual needs. I read there are 5,686 hospitals in the U.S. with 914,513 beds and 320,000 churches with 56,000,000 weekly worshipers (seats). There are many who acknowledged they have physical needs, but look at those who are attending churches. Have they truly acknowledged their spiritual needs?…

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On…

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…