Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony. —John 4:29 My dad had been raised with a religious background. His parents and grandparents had been with the same religious group as well. It was something that was just expected in the family and so my parents, though sporadically, brought us to the same church when we were young. Everything was in Latin and I did not understand a thing. I really wondered if my parents did because when I looked like I was getting ready to ask what this was all about, I got the look telling me not to ask. Years later…

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes,…

“Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” —Luke 5:10 He was off to go fishing. He had his pole, his boat, his bait… everything he needed to go fishing and I saw him drive off just before sunrise. Later that day I was driving past this large field and to my utter amazement I saw my friend sitting in his boat in the middle of the field. He was holding his pole… fishing? This did not make any sense at all… his boat on dry land? You might read the above illustration and think that is absurd and it is. But, how many of us are…

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. —Matthew 4:4 Just yesterday I went to one of my “fishing pools” to see who the Lord might have me talk with. I greeted a man who was there and he introduced himself. I had heard about this man, but had not met him. He is very wealthy and can have just about anything money can buy. He told me how he lived in Israel 1 month each year for the last 6 years and how he was looking to lease a field there for 25 years so Israelites and Palestinian children…

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. —Mark 1:4 Jesus told this parable— “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” (Matthew 21:28-31) What is your answer? The elders of the people answer correctly…

What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” —Mark 1:24-25 I was talking with someone recently that I have known for years. I remember the first time I shared the gospel with this person. There was no doubt the Holy Spirit led in the situation, but the person was not interested. In this latest conversation this person stated that he “just does not believe in that stuff.” I asked if I could share something with them and they said yes and…

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. —Luke 2:11 We have probably seen people being rescued from flood waters at one time or another. Sometimes helicopters are used. They lower baskets for people to get into or just ropes for them to hang onto. Imagine this for a moment. You are standing on the roof of your house with raging waters all around it. The water level is rising quickly and your house could be swept away at any second. Then, a helicopter appears and lowers a rope to you. It is right in front of you. All…

For nothing will be impossible with God. —Luke 1:37 If nothing was impossible for you, what would you do? But, we are very limited when compared to the Lord God Almighty. Mankind can accomplish much and has. Much has been for good and unfortunately much that has also been created to be used for evil. It all comes down to the motivation of man. Still, when man creates something he has to have the raw materials to do so. Man has never been able to create something from nothing… and he never will. Even when man creates something he is showing that the something needs a creator to be created.…

But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. —Malachi 1:6-8 You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he…

Remember me for this, my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services. —Nehemiah 13:14 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10). “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:21). “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted…