Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. —Matthew 7:20 Oak trees produce acorns. Apple trees produce apples. Orange trees produce oranges. Pear trees produce pears. What a tree is so it produces. What do you and I produce? What is seen in our life comes from who we are on the inside. We may try to hide what we are on the inside, but we can’t hide it all. Just as a tree can’t help but produce fruit, so a person cannot but produce the life that comes from within. Who are you and I? It is seen…

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. —Matthew 6:14-15 Steve and Annie Chapman sing a song, “Two Children” and it is a true story. The children had an abusive dad. The son lived a life of peace, but the daughter was filled with bitterness and hate until she died. It was that bitterness and hatred that killed her. The son could live in peace because, even though his dad was dead, he forgave him for all that he had done. The daughter did not forgive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f93-M7lA6BQ&index=3&list=PLfHd5db8LujBEEAV6pPwKHfwmIwdfqYew Fellow follower of…

If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. —Matthew 5:7 Have you ever come in contact with a grumpy person? I am sure you have. It could have been a teacher, an employer, a cashier, but their face spoke volumes. They were not a happy camper and their words backed up their look. How about you and I? Are we kind to all people or to only those we are friends with and those who are agreeable toward us? When is the last time you or I made a kind gesture toward a person other than a friend— even…

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect,…

In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.” —Matthew 4:15-16 I was in Iceland for a year when I was in the military. This time of the year in New Hampshire reminds me a little of that place— especially the cloudy, gloominess that hangs over us during the winter. I arrived in Iceland during December when it is dark most of the time. The sun would not even…

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. —Matthew 3:2 Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? —Matthew 3:7 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. —Matthew 3:8 As they were walking along the warning sirens sounded. They immediately turned and ran for the storm shelter. The thunderous storm passed over them. They were safe inside and out of the storm path’s wrath. The call to repent is not an optional idea. There are real and eternal consequences for not repenting, for not turning from one’s sin and trusting the Lord Jesus Christ which is seen by a changed life. The judgment of God will come upon each…

3 Common Traits of Youth Who Don’t Leave the Church

Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah… —Matthew 2:16-17 Adults killing children is the highest form of terrorism. It is the highest form of cowardice and you can be sure that Jesus does not take kindly to it at all. This past year “we the people” through tax dollars have slaughtered over 300,000 children in the womb. We gave Planned Parenthood (what…

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She…

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. —Ephesians 3:20-21 I finished the year by reading a book by Naeem Fazal and by doing some reflection. My youngest daughter, Hannah, gave me the book for Christmas. One thing that was mentioned in the book was this statement: “Has there ever been a time when you trusted Jesus more than you are trusting Him at this moment.” It is a thought provoking statement. If…