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  Matthew 7:15-20- "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.   Jesus talks about fruit and the necessity of pruning even more in John 15: " I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I ...

PRAY OVER THIS   “Then she lulled him to sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. And she said, ‘The Philistines are upon you, Samson!’ So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.” ( Judges 16:19-20 )   PONDER THIS Many people today find themselves without the power of God but don’t realize it. They were once faithful deacons, Sunday school teachers, and evangelists, but they have so compromised and played in sin that the power of God is gone from them, and they don’t even know it. It is scary to think I could come and stand and preach or minister without that anointing and power of God. It’s scary to think about how many there are who have begun in the Spirit and en...

No one gets to start in the middle—we’re all beginners in one area of our lives or another. But for many of us, what we need is more like a new beginning, a fresh start, a walking journey from chaos to wholeness that is accomplished one step at a time. We call that journey recovery .Let’s look at that first step: Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors. That our lives had become unmanageable. Our first step is a big one. We are finally ready to admit that we are powerless to control an addiction or a behavior. The harder we try, the more unmanageable it becomes. Our lives have descended into chaos. When we take that first big step—giving up control—we are stepping away from denial and acknowledging our own need. There is hope in that first step, for we can’t be helped until we admit that we need help. Until then we are trying to be God in our own lives, and really we just aren’t up to the task. We are powerless to control much of a...

PRAY OVER THIS “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” ( Proverbs 3:1-6 )   PONDER THIS Responsibility and liberty are inextricably connected. When a baby is born, that baby has no responsibilities. He doesn’t have to worry about paying the light bills. He doesn’t have to worry about going to the grocery store. The baby doesn’t even have to worry about changing his own clothes. The baby has no responsibilities, but the baby also has no liberties. He doesn’t decide where he’s going to sleep. He doesn...

I remember hearing a teaching a couple years ago talking about the galaxies, the stars, and the speed of light, etc. All of which are so fascinating to me. I was looking at the sky last night observing the moon, the stars and all that God has created. It is pretty cool to see evidence of His goodness with my own eyes. It’s fascinating to think God and what He created is so big that it takes years upon years for the light to reach my eyes so that I can even be able to see those stars. That's a Big God, huh?!   God's truth is different though isn't it? Though I can't see Him physically, my faith is trusting in what is not seen. Living by faith helps me to see and know what is true even if I can't see it. Faith pulls me through even when I hear the lies the enemy is trying to show me otherwise. We have a big God to put our faith in.   ““See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness—” ...

    Read Matthew 2:13-18- After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” 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: “A cry was heard in Ramah- weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.”   Once again...

Our culture can be tough on dads these days. If you’re a father, you might be fighting a lot of battles—for your marriage, your family . . . even for your own heart. And finding the courage to keep fighting every day isn’t easy. That’s why I want you to know— you are appreciated . God sees the silent sacrifices you make. The hard work you put in. The obstacles you overcome to protect the ones you love. So I want to share this prayer of blessing with you to remind you how incredibly valuable you are. The battles you fight matter . Dear God, You have said reverence for God gives a man deep strength, and what we need today are men with deep strength. Help us to build our firm foundation on Jesus Christ.  When everybody else is running the race for acquisitions, achievements, accomplishments, and appearance, help us to remember that what matters most is love—to love you and to love our wives, our kids, our families, our friends, and even our enemies. Help us to remember, Jesus, th...