The Condition of the Heart But the seed in the good ground—these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, bear fruit.—Luke 8:15 At any time, the receptiveness of your heart will determine your response to God’sRead More …

Repentance After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news of God: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!”—Mark 1:14–15 Repentance is one of the most positive of all words. John the Baptist centered hisRead More …

The Terror of the Lord Knowing, then, the fear of the Lord, we persuade people. We are completely open before God, and I hope we are completely open to your consciences as well.—2 Corinthians 5:11 The fear of God is the greatest deterrent for sin (Exod. 20:20; Prov. 16:6). ThoseRead More …

Friends of God “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”—John 15:15 You do not choose to beRead More …

Trusting God First This is what the Lord says: Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes [human] flesh his strength and turns his heart from the Lord.—Jeremiah 17:5 The Israelites of Jeremiah’s day believed they could trust in their army, the diplomacy of their king, and theirRead More …

Faith That Doesn’t Ask “An evil and adulterous generation wants a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.—Matthew 16:4 Asking God for a miracle may indicate a lack of faith. Some feel that they demonstrate greatRead More …

Every Careless Word I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.—Matthew 12:36 Jesus spoke plainly about our idle words, yet His warning often goes unheeded. Jesus said that for every idle word there will be a time ofRead More …

Rejoicing in God’s Word Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart.—Jeremiah 15:16 If you were to receive a note from the leader of your country or someone famous, you would probably save it as a keepsake.Read More …

God’s Ways He revealed His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel.—Psalm 103:7 Are you satisfied with merely knowing the acts of God, or do you also want to know His ways? There is a difference. This difference is illustrated in the lives of the children ofRead More …

Whoever Is Least “I assure you: Among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”—Matthew 11:11 John the Baptist’s role was to decrease in prominence while Jesus’ ministry increased (John 3:30). John allowedRead More …