…you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. —Matthew 23:23 I work with inmates at the State Prison and I can safely say that our “justice system” here in the U.S. is not very consistent— probably true in all the world. Some judges hand down heavy sentences and some hand down light sentences for the same crime. Then there’s the recent “justice” handed down by a judge that will find a young Christian couple with 5 children for at least $150,000 for not baking a cake for a “gay wedding.” Read the full article here at http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/02/03/christian-bakers-face-government-wrath-for-refusing-to-make-cake-for-gay/. Justice? No! Mercy? No! The judge judged incorrectly against…

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. “Everything they do is for show. —Matthew 23:1-5 “Practice what you preach” is a saying that is heard from time to time and just means “Do what you say.” It is not enough just to say words. Actions must follow speech. So many people today just say…

But they all refused to come! …the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them. —Matthew 22:3, 5-6 “Thousands of Christians have been killed or abducted by Boko Haram, the militant Islamist group who claim to have established a ‘caliphate’ (Islamic state) in northern Nigeria. On a smaller but no less devastating scale, Christians are also the target of Hausa-Fulani Muslim herdsmen, who have destroyed hundreds of churches and killed thousands of Christians. Twelve of the northern states have adopted Islamic law, and Christians are frequently discriminated against in…

The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. —Matthew 21:42 All my uncles on my mother’s side of the family, the Adams’ side, were stone and brick masons. Those were the days when cement blocks were used to build foundations. It was imperative that the first corner was laid out properly. That first corner would determine the placement for the rest of the building. So it was with Jesus, the rejected Cornerstone. Rejected by man, but chosen of God (Acts 4:11; I Peter 2:4-10). He is the Cornerstone of the church. Everything believers do, say or…

The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. —Matthew 21:10 This is a question that needs to be asked about Jesus. There was a Pharaoh of Egypt who said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go” (Exodus 5:2). The stubborn ignorance of Pharaoh led to the destruction of his army and his country. So will be the end of any nation whose leaders do not know the Lord and are against His people. It will only lead to eventually destruction. “Sing joyfully…

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” —Matthew 20:25-28 How do you think our world would be different if everyone had a servant’s heart? Instead of wanting people do something for us, what…

Should you be jealous because I am kind to others? —Matthew 10:15 How do you feel when someone else gets a promotion at work? How do you feel when someone’s business is doing much better than yours? How do you feel when another person gets a better grade or whose place is higher at graduation? How do you feel when another team takes the championship? How do you feel with others seem to be in perfect health and your health is failing? How do you feel when others seem to have things going better in their life than the things in your life? Are you content with what God has…

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. —Mathew 19:23 Let’s say right now you were given the opportunity to receive $1,000,000 or eternal life through Jesus. Which would you take- the money or eternal life through Jesus? Unfortunately, the vast majority would take the $1,000,000. But this is not new. The lure of wealth, or I should say the love of wealth, has destroyed many lives. It is not wealth itself. Wealth itself is neutral. It is the love of wealth that people are lured by. They think “If only I had…

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! —Matthew 18:21-22 Have you truly forgiven that person? To forgive means to never bring it up again. We may not forget it and there may still be hurt that we have to work through, but to forgive is to “let it go.” To not forgive is to “hold on to it.” So, who is it you have not forgiven, but need to? Forgiveness— we cannot really understand it until we understand the forgiveness that the Lord God Almighty extends to…

But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground. Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” —Matthew 17:5-7 Someone of importance comes to town people flock to hear what they have to say. It could be a world figure, a political figure or some other celebrity. Thousands of dollars are forked over just to have a meal in the presence of one of these people or to buy tickets to…