In desperation we cry out. Cry out when you are not desperate too.

Psalm 18:4-6

The pangs of death surrounded me,
And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried out to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple,
And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.
Bible Gateway link: Psalm 18-4-6

Thank God!

Matthew 18:11
For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
Bible Gateway link: Matthew 18:11 (NKJV)

No excuses! You may be worried about your limitations but God is not. Even if you insist on resisting as Moses did, God will find a way.

Exodus 4:10-12
But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”
Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”
Bible Gateway link: Exodus 4:10-12 (NKJV)

Context is important! But here it does not matter at all. He is speaking to all of us.

Matthew 17:7
But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”
Bible Gateway link: Matthew 17:7

I used to have trouble answering this red letter question. After studying the bible I know the answer. He is the guy who saved me from myself.

Matthew 16:15
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Bible Gateway link: Matthew 16:15

If you are blindly stumbling on your path and your burden just keeps getting heavier, STOP. Pick up your Bible and ask for direction, there is a better way and it is lighted.

Proverbs 4:18-19

But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble.
Bible Gateway link: Proverb 4:18-19 (NKJV)

This is one of the most provocative sentences ever written! When God suspends His own natural physical laws to show Himself to us, we should pay attention. It is why reading Matthew with an open and receptive mind can change your life.

Matthew 14:25
Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
Bible Gateway link: Matthew 14:25

This is the best argument ever written for encouraging more and more believers. Selfishly, I want to live in a place where He DOES do many mighty works.

Matthew 13:58

Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Bible Gateway link: Matthew 13:58 (NKJV)

Is there ever enough? One of the priceless gifts of turning your life over to God, is knowing that what Esau says here is ALWAYS true.

Genesis 33:9

But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.”
Bible Gateway link: Genesis 33:9 (NKJV)

So he told the truth AND he lied! God had provided the food, but Jacob lied about who he was. We do not know God's plan or how He gets there. Best not to judge because whatever it is, it is probably the exact opposite of what you think.

Genesis 27:19-20

Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.”
But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?”And he said, “Because the Lord your God brought it to me.”
Bible Gateway link: Genesis 27:19-20 (NKJV)

Ever take advantage of people just because you can? Matthew did. Just two red words changed his life forever.

Matthew 9:9
As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.
Bible Gateway link: Mathew 9:9 (NKJV)

Are there demons hanging around in your life? Don't let evil take up residence and ruin your life. Resist out loud in God's name. The demons will flee. It is a promise.

Matthew 8:16

When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
Bible Gateway link: Matthew 8:16 (NKJV)

A recipe for Joy!

Psalm 5:11-12

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.
For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
Bible Gateway link: Psalm 5:11-12 (NKJV)

What would you not give for a little peace and a good night of sleep? How about giving God a chance to run your life instead of always doing it your way?

Psalm 4:8
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Bible Gateway link: Psalm 4:8

What about those who build a tower to reach into Heaven? What human arrogance! It wasn't part of God's plan then and probably not now. God doesn't want us to depend on our own creations, he wants us to depend on Him.

Genesis 11:7-9
Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.”
So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city.
Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.
Bible Gateway link: Genesis 11:7-9 (ESV)

I have felt God's rebuke. I kept ignoring it until I was brought so low I wanted to die. When I finally turned at the rebuke the promise below came true.

Proverbs 1:23
Turn at my rebuke;
Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.
Bible Gateway Link: Proverbs 1:23 (NKJV)

Be ready to defend your faith. God's word and the wisdom that comes from it will help you.

Proverbs 1:20-22
Wisdom calls aloud outside;
She raises her voice in the open squares.
She cries out in the chief concourses,
At the openings of the gates in the city
She speaks her words:
“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning,
And fools hate knowledge.
Bible Gateway link: 1:20-22

Some things never change. A grieved God gave us a way out through Christ. Please take His offer.

Genesis 6:5-6
The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.
Bible Gateway link: Genesis 6:5-6

So they disobeyed and this is what they got. It explains everything about why life is hard. Pain, sorrow, unfairness and the burden of providing for the family.

Genesis 3:16-17
To the woman He said:
“I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception;
In pain you shall bring forth children;
Your desire shall be for your husband,
And he shall rule over you.”
Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:
“Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it
All the days of your life.
Bible Gateway link: Genesis 3:16-17 (NKJV)

This is one of the first things God ever told us. It is important, it makes His creation work.

Genesis 2:24
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Bible Gateway link: Genesis 2:24 (NKJV)