Matthew 12:23-45

"Dear Disciple, My words in yesterday's Scripture (Luke 11:14-26) were hard. The folks I spoke them to didn't like them. So, they challenged Me to do...."

Jesus talked about a haunted house? Don't simply get rid of evil, but fill your life with goodness!

"But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, "No wonder [Jesus] can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of..."

"[Jesus continued his reply to the Pharisees who said his power came from Satan:] "And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They...."

"[Jesus continued his reply to the Pharisees:] "A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its..."

"One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your..."

"[Jesus continued his response to the Jewish leaders who asked for a sign:] "When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest..."

"[Jesus:] "So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven — except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who..."

"[Jesus continued:] "And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit...."

"[Jesus continued his response to the Jewish leaders who asked for a sign:] "The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment..."

"But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then indeed the kingdom of God is come upon you. Or how can anyone enter into the house of the strong...."

"[Jesus continued:] "So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven — except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven......"

What can empty our faith of its value? Tammy Marcelain shares insight on who we welcome and how we welcome them into our midst, and also reflects on what we do to push them away and hurt them with our words and actions.

What are you putting in the empty places of their lives? We've got to fill our kids with good things and not just tell them what not to do, because if we don't fill them with God's stuff, someone is going to fill them with satan's stuff.

"[Jesus:] "But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.""

""Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.""

"[Jesus continued:] "Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.""

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 12:29 -- Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.

"Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn't speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. The crowd....."

Why do we run after other things to add to Jesus? Phil Ware continues his messages out of Colossians; this one focuses on Jesus being enough and anything added to Him is less.

How can the younger brother of Jesus help us find our way to hope? Phil Ware lets us journey with James, the half brother of Jesus, through the cross and resurrection to find our way to hope and confidence about our future.

The earth is sick. Our world is sicker. We are to bridge the gap until Jesus' return! Phil Ware along with Doug Peters help us hear the Lord's Prayer for the kingdom to dawn on earth so that the will of God can be seen on earth as it is in heaven.

How long will what you have written actually live? Our language and speech lives on long after we do, and the Internet is a reminder of just how far and wide such things can go.

What's going to come out of our mouths next? Tom Norvell reminds us to guard our words by praying for speech coming out of Psalm 143

Can we grow the gift of faith? Tammy Marcelain writes about believing, trust, and God using our struggles, weaknesses, and trials to make us people of faith.

Can you keep it in check? We must watch our language for others and for God.

Is your storehouse of anger doing you any good? Are you happier? Better? More fun to be with? Max Lucado helps us deal with the hurts of the heart that lead to bitterness, anger, and depression, as we are provoked and frustrated into sullen and negative states of spirit and emotion and mind.

Jesus won't let us classify him as just another good teacher: He challenges us to decide if he is Lord, liar, or lunatic! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos to honor Jesus as greater than anything or anyone.

So is it really important that we are nice and courteous? Being nice is important if we are going to influence others.

Have you learned this important spiritual skill? We need to learn that there is a time to be silent.