Matthew 25:19-33

How much is enough? Lisa Mikitarian talks about the parable of the talents and learning to focus on using what we have and not saying, "If only"

Are you willing to risk to honor God? Rubel Shelly reminds us that caution rooted in the fear of God can be a bad thing when we are trying to serve him with the gifts he has given us to be used for his glory.

You've been there, haven't you, where you needed help and wondered if anyone was there? Phil Ware talks about using our summers to do God's work.

What if we actually treated everyone we meet as if they were friends? What if we greeted everyone as if they were a long lost friend who we were glad to see?

So is it really better to be safe than sorry? Phil Ware talks about the old adage, better to be safe than sorry, and shows what Jesus says about it: the follower who takes this approach will be condemned.

What can I learn about hard-hearted parishes in Louisiana? Judging the hard-heartedness of some Louisiana parishes leads me to look at my own hard-heartedness.

Will you take a moment and pause for this special kind of prayer? We need to pray for those who giving of their time, effort, energy, and themselves to be involved in the relief, recovery, and clean up in post Katrina aftermath.

Have you seen Jesus here? Phil Ware continues his leadership series on the Immanuel Sayings or ways to experience Jesus, this one focuses on compassionate service.

Don't you just love to hear the words said to you! Tom Norvell reminds of how beautiful it will be to hear "Well done!" from the Lord and how important it is for us to say it to each other until his coming.

Sometimes being a turkey isn't so bad after all! Russ Lawson uses a trip to a farm to remind us how we can choose to respond differently to Jesus: follow or be pushed, be led or run away.

How would Jesus deal with folks in Beverly Hills? In Hollywood, we can find people who are rich and people who are poor, but what they have in common is that they all need the compassion of Jesus demonstrated to them.

Let God train you. He watches the way we handle the little jobs. Max Lucado reminds us that we can get through whatever we are facing right now because God is at work in us and will be with us until we are fashioned into a person of character.

Some connections God makes inescapable no matter how costly obedience may be! Phillip Morrison reminds us of the need to be open-hearted to the refugee crisis both as Americans and as Christians and to see this as a moral imperative.

Are you using what God has given you? God has given us all special abilities. If we use them, then God is glorified, but if we don't, we'll lose those abilities.

How do you honor a servant who is not trying to be noticed but simply trying to do good things for others? Phil Ware talks about a university honoring students for their acts of service and it leads him to wonder how we honor God's servants today.

So you started well, but how did you finish? While starting well is important, finishing is the most important thing of all!

Joy in trials and the expansion of influence in times like these? YES! Alan Garner describes a prayer and exhortation he gave at the Volunteers of America meeting and how wisdom and opportunity can be found in caring for the trials and troubles of those around us.

Who does Jesus value most? We will be judged by how we cared for the least, the left out, and the lonely.

How do you honor a servant who is not trying to be noticed? Phil Ware talks about a university honoring students for their acts of service and it leads him to wonder how we honor God's servants today.