Send us a text "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." Jn 10:11 NKJV Jesus told of a shepherd with a hundred sheep. When one of them was lost, he left the other ninety-nine in the fold and searched until he found the one lost sheep. Then he put it on his shoulders and rejoiced as he brought it home. Good shepherds …

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Send us a text "Which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" Lk 10:36 NKJV Jesus told the story of the Jewish traveler who was robbed, beaten, and left to die on the Jericho road. Two Jews, both in the ministry, walked past him without helping. Then a Samaritan rescued him. No race of people was more hated by t…

Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!Af Home Of The Free

Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!Af Home Of The Free

Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!Af Home Of The Free

Send us a text "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." Jn 12:46 NKJV John Ortberg writes: "In 1780 a Jesus-follower in Great Britain named Robert Raikes could not stand the cycle of poverty and ignorance that was destroying little children, a whole generation. He said, 'The world marches fo…

Send us a text "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light." Mt 4:16 NKJV First and most importantly, Jesus brought the light of salvation to all mankind. But one of the enduring benefits of His kingdom is His impact on learning and education. The word university began with those who believed that God created the universe; therefore, Hi…

Send us a text "You are precious to me." Isa 43:4 NLT Guess who said, "You are precious to me?" God. So don't let anybody tell you otherwise. Why is this important? Because understanding who you are as a person and genuinely believing that you merit love and attention from another person is essential to your self-worth. The capability to convey tha…

Send us a text "We walk by faith, not by sight." 2Co 5:7 NKJV Impalas are one of the most powerful animals in Africa. They can leap to a height of more than ten feet and cover more than thirty feet in one jump. Yet the impala can be kept in an enclosure with a fence that's no more than three feet high. Why? Because it won't jump unless it can see w…

Send us a text "A great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries." 1Co 16:9 NKJV The New Living Translation states Paul's words this way: "There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me." In doing the will of God, you should anticipate opposition from those who are not privy to what God has share…

Send us a text "I have set before you an open door." Rev 3:8 NKJV In seeking to know God's will, there are two things you should never do. First, when the door is closed, get impatient and force it open. Second, create your own door. To succeed in what God has called you to do, follow the "open door policy." The Bible describes it this way: "To the…

Send us a text "This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Ps 118:24 NKJV One author writes: "One of the strategies I employ is to block enough time so that l'm not thinking of what I have to do next. I find it best to wait until I can invest more than a few minutes in being with someone so that the person is not frustra…

Send us a text "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1C0 11:1 NIV Your mentor should not only demonstrate professional excellence and possess skills from which you can learn, but must also be someone who displays character qualities worth imitating. Bernie Madoff was one of the most admired and sought-after brokers on Wall Street.…

Send us a text "Let me teach you." Mt 11:29 NLT Jesus said, "I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Mt 16:18). When He spoke those words, the religious leaders of His day were plotting His death, the society in which He lived was controlled by the might of Rome, and His followers were common people. Humanly spe…

Send us a text "Then He said to them, 'Follow Me..."" Mt 4:19 NKJV Most people who decide to grow personally find their first mentors in the pages of books. That is a great place to start. For that matter, it's a great place to continue. And the wisdom that's found in Scripture makes the Bible the best mentor's manual ever written. If you are not r…

Send us a text "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Php 4:13 NKJV Self-help books sometimes claim you can change your life in five or ten simple steps. It takes a lot more than that to make substantial and lasting changes in your life. First, change comes by drawing on a power greater than your own -God's power. Paul writes: "I …

Send us a text "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger."" Jn 6:35 NKJV After World War II, Europe was devastated with hungry, homeless children who had been orphaned by the battles. They were put in large camps where they were given food and care. Yet they didn't sleep well at night; they were nervous, fe…

Send us a text "He who finds a wife or a husband finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord." Pr 18:22 NKJV Perhaps you have heard the joke about the lady who told her friend, "I didn't know what real happiness was until I married my husband, and now it's too late." Seriously, that doesn't have to be your story. Through God's wisdom, love,…

Send us a text "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Mt 6:12 NKJV Other translations say to forgive others' "trespasses." To trespass means to go where you're not supposed to and do what you're not supposed to. Infidelity, dishonesty, and other wrong things are among the trespasses we may experience. Without the ability to practice for…

Send us a text "Husbands…be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect." 1Pe 3:7 NIV Because something is said doesn't necessarily mean it's heard. At least, not in the way you think it is. The apostle Peter uses the words "considerate" and "respect." Both are essential to the art of listening, which is essential to a good…

Send us a text "Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding." Pr 3:13 NIV The wise old adage goes, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." Sometimes what people need more than your money is your wisdom. By taking the time to share with them the insights and wisdom yo…

Send us a text "I pray that the faith you share will make you understand every blessing we have in Christ." Phm 1:6 ERV If you're struggling with self-worth, the answer is knowing what you have and who you are "in Christ." Paul writes, "I pray that... you understand every blessing we have in Christ." Here are some practical steps you can take to in…

Send us a text "God led the people around by the desert road." Ex 13:18 NIV The Bible says, "When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, 'If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt. So God led the people around by the desert road" (…

Send us a text "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. Ge 12:1 NKJV The two parts to God's "go" are going from and going to. Ur, Abram's home, was considered the place to be. Setting out for ancient Mesopotamia, all the trading wealth from around the Mediterranean had to travel throug…

Send us a text "I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me." Ac 27:25 NIV Third, anchored by God's promises. The third anchor that gives us confidence in a crisis is found in Paul's words, "I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me." If you have ever been betrayed by an unfaithful spouse, you may have lost trust in …

Send us a text "I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Mt 16:18 NIV Gates are defensive devices, and storming those gates requires offensive measures. Think of the church as a battering ram. Instead of complaining about the culture, we need to present better options. We must produce higher-caliber movies and compose m…

Send us a text "In My name they will...lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mk 16:17-18 NKJV Here is an often overlooked part of the Great Commission Jesus gave us: "In My name they will….. lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Research has revealed that touch has the power to fight viruses, reduce stress, enhance sleep, and assi…

Send us a text "The goodness of God leads you to repentance." Ro 2:4 NKJV Do you remember the woman who took an alabaster box of fragrant oil and anointed Jesus with it? The Bible says: "Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, 'This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is w…

Send us a text He is able to aid those who are tempted." Heb 2:18 NKJV If you are serious about overcoming temptation, here are five things you must do: (1) Think about the choices you are making, and the consequences, before you make them. Wisdom always looks ahead. (2) Believe that you can resist temptation-because you can. "You are of God...and …

Send us a text "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Ex 33:14 NKJV When you sense God's presence and know He is with you, you can handle whatever life brings. Try to imagine the assignment Moses had-liberating two million people from the grip of slavery; leading them through a wilderness where they were exposed to enemies and el…

Send us a text "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Hos 4:6 NKJV Failing to unlearn irrational fears and misconceptions keeps us from becoming who God wants us to be. The invalid man in John 5 is a great example of this. He had been crippled for thirty-eight years when Jesus asked if he would like to get well. However, the man believed …

Send us a text "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able." 1C0 10:13 NKJV The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition says: "Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin]. For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing …

Send us a text "If you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?" Lk 16:11 NLT Did you know that God's willingness to bless you with more money depends on how well you handle what He has already given you? When it comes to money, here are some Bible principles you must live by: (1) Pay God His 10 per…

Send us a text "He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us." Eph 2:10 NLT What kind of work environment brings out the best in you? Do you thrive on routine? Are you motivated by people's needs? Do you enjoy tackling challenges that might discourage others? How about your relationships? Do you enjoy being…

Send us a text "My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2Co 12:9 NKJV First, acknowledge your inadequacy to God. Joni Eareckson Tada says, "Deny your weakness, and you will never realize God's strength in you." God told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Anything that makes you lean on God is a pl…

Send us a text "Our sufficiency is of God." 2Co 3:5 The fear of inadequacy is a state of mind in which you think your best is not good enough. Usually, it originated in childhood when our parents, teachers, and others we considered important, failed to appreciate and affirm us or compared us negatively to someone else. You will see it from Moses, w…

Send us a text "Be still, and know that I am God." Ps 46:10 NIV To have peace you must focus on God's presence. What you choose to focus on either fuels your fears or your faith. The Bible says, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you" (Isa 26:3 NIV). That verse could be reduced to one sentence: "G…

Send us a text "Great peace have those who love your law." Ps 119:165 NIV In order to find real peace, you must do two things: (1) Live by the principles of God's Word. "Great peace have those who love your law." Peace arrives when you live in harmony with God. A new car comes with an owner's manual. It tells you that for your car to perform well, …

Send us a text "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against... spiritual hosts of wickedness." Eph 6:12 NKJV Before doing battle with Syria, Joab told his brother, "If [they] are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you" (1Ch 19:12 NKJV). If one was overwhelmed, th…

Send us a text "Uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do." Ru 3:4 NKJV As a Moabitess, the law said Ruth was unqualified to mix with Jews. "An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord" (Dt 23:3 NKJV). But when God has a plan for your life, He steps in and says, "I have called you by your name; you …

Send us a text "Don't look back." Ge 19:17 NLT Before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, He sent angels to warn Lot and his family to get out of town: "'Run for your lives!' [one warned.] 'And don't look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!'...But Lot's wife looked back as she was following behind …

Send us a text #Where there is no vision, the people perish." Pr 29:18 A pastor writes: "The second law of thermodynamics states this physical truth: If left to their own devices, everything in the universe moves toward disorder and decay. Cars rust. Food rots...It's also called the law of entropy. And the only way to prevent entropy is to introduc…

Send us a text "The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise." Pr 15:31 NKJV One expert points out that leaders touch your heart before they ask for your hand. That's the law of connection. Before a leader can touch a person's heart, he or she has to know what's in it. And you learn that by listening. A reluctance to listen is t…

Send us a text "I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt...And you forgave me!" Ps 32:5 NLT In Scripture, the word confession is comprised of two forms of the same Greek root: ohmo, meaning "the same," and logéo, meaning "to speak." Therefore, confessing your sin to God means saying the same thing about it as He does. It m…

Send us a text "Do not say, 'Why were the old days better than these?' For it is not wise." Ecc 7:10 NIV Two more reasons we resist change are these: (1) Because it feels awkward and uncomfortable. When was the last time you tried something for the first time? Can you name it specifically? If you can't remember, your comfort zone may have turned in…

Send us a text "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."Jas 1:22 NIV When you listen to or read God's Word but don't apply it to your life, you deceive yourself. How so? (1) You settle for knowledge rather than experience. The Bible says, "If anyone...knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin…

Send us a text "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me." Jn 16:33 NLT Stress is like kryptonite (Superman's nemesis), and it's out to knock off your cape and diminish you to a heap of trembling, useless mush. What should you do? (1) Immerse your exhaustion. Try a bubble bath. Even simply standing in the shower can assist in washi…

Send us a text "You will be strong and free of fear." Job 11:15 NLT When you ignore the warning signs, chronic stress can take a toll on your body. So what are some of the signals? Well for starters, your stomach churns at any form of disagreement. When you can't find an outlet for pent-up frustration, you resort to overeating, smoking, drinking, d…

Send us a text "But the Lord was with Joseph." Ge 39:21 To reach his destiny, Joseph went through betrayal, temptation, slander, and wrongful imprisonment. But he came out on top. Here is what Joseph recognized that you need to recognize too: (1) God knows what you're going through, and He cares. There is a key phrase found five different times in …