The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly John 10:10 Over a recent weekend, I went hiking in northern Arkansas. While walking through the woods, a million thoughts flew through my head. I found my mind thinking about problems and things I want in life. Finally, …
I Die Daily
1 Corinthians 15:31 Organizations are fueled by the human spirit and human energy. Like the mighty river that originates from a little spring, everything in the organization begins, rises, and falls from what happens in the leader’s secret heart. It’s way too scary. I remember the years when I wanted to be the top guy, I wanted everyone to …
How to Succeed at Anything
The word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. Psalm 33:4 I’ve discovered you can apply the Bible to any facet of your life and it works just like is says it will. The Bible literally is a life-instruction manual. It’s not, “Try this and see if it works for you.” It’s, “Try this. It works …
Defying Gravity
In a world full of noise and sensual distractions wanting to fill me and whip me around, I can live in and for its pleasures. Or I can lock myself inside a lonely shell. There’s a third option: I can look up to God for help. Must I follow the world’s pleasures until I’m in trouble and then cry …
In the Hot Flames of Temptation
From Psalm 39 I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.” But as I stood there in silence— the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got. Sometimes my insides feel like …
Complete the Work
I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. Titus 1:5 Some people fight for positions. They want to stand on a pedestal above their peers for various reasons, such as pride, power, feeling insulated, or the illusion of job security. God wants …
It’s Okay That I’m Not Okay
Let all who are helpless take heart. Psalm 34:2 You, David, felt helpless? The great king, the warrior-poet who relentlessly pursued after God’s heart, and one of the greatest men in the Bible…? You… Felt… Helpless? No. Read that again. The verse doesn’t say you felt helpless. It says you are helpless. It’s a little mind game I play …
Climb the Mountain of God
Psalm 24 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. We already belong to him. But in this life, he won’t take what’s his. He offers me the gift of his love. He wants the gift of my love from me. He won’t demand it or take it from me. …
Take Enough Time
When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good. Proverbs 20:8 This means stepping back, listening, observing, taking plenty of notes, going home, studying, doing research, praying, and getting advice from wise people. When I’m the person in authority, slowing down and being thorough is my job. It’s not optional. Whether you’re …
A Mother’s Advice to Her Son Who is a King
O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. Proverbs 31:2,3 Occasionally, we see a good king who wants advice from godly counselors. However, most kings don’t take advice from anyone, except perhaps their mother. Sometimes my sons accept advice from their mother …
Instead
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4: 32 It’s like God says, “Take a chill pill.” Let go of bitterness and strife and all evil that wants to live inside you. Instead, be kind. It works much better. Tenderhearted—let go, life is easier this way. Forgive, …
His Light, Not Mine
Psalm 27:1-4 The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? One thing I learned from my years of depression is that I’m not a source of light. I might have a little dim light in me, but mostly, I’m full of darkness. The Lord is my light. I’m afraid of the dark. Are you? With …
Why Jesus Came
Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth Truly He taught us to love one another His law is love and His gospel is peace Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother And in His name all oppression shall cease. (From the hymn O Holy Night) …
Pointing the Way
You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. Titus 2:15 Jesus said very few people will enter heaven. Only those who do the will of God will be there. Yet he never leaves us in the dark. God raises up men and women who have come through their own dark night, who now look to …
Clean it All Out
Psalm 32 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I remember carrying unresolved guilt inside me all the time. When I cleaned it all out, I got a clear sight of God. Unresolved sin… …
Chip on The Shoulder
Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. Proverbs 3:30 I no longer want to live with the illusion that my life is my own. Lord, I want you to search my heart. Let’s stop at the nearest altar and remove any chips from my shoulder. You know what they are, …
Add to Your Faith…
From 2 Peter 1:1-5 And keep adding, all day, every day. Some people think it’s enough that they added information to themselves when they went to school. So they stopped adding. I meet these people every day. They bring impressive resumes, seeking high-paying jobs. I ask them what they’re doing now to grow themselves. “I haven’t read a book …
Acceptable Sacrifice
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. Matthew 16:25 Who can know God? Those who learn to know themselves well and then surrender the self they know so well on God’s altar in grateful sacrifice. As they release their …
A New Operating System
Be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. Romans 12:2 Albert Einstein said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” When we switched our company to Lean Manufacturing methods, we soon learned it wouldn’t be effective to apply the Lean practices unless we changed …
A Good Life Made Simple
from Psalm 34 Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. I’ve used this passage as a clean, simple formula for living a good life: Phillip
More Than a Diploma
We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God… totally committed to doing good deeds. From Titus 2:12-14 Following Jesus is a conscious, daily choice. You must fully immerse yourself in study, practice, and hard work. You can’t afford to deceive yourself into thinking you’re a Christian because you were baptized, had an encounter …
First You Go
In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have …
A Sick Mind Never Heals Itself
Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good. Titus 1:15, 16 This one is a …
Slaves and Free
Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way. Titus 2:9, 10 Many Christians believe slavery has ended. I’m slow ignoring something the Bible teaches …
A Pure and Serving Heart
Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way. Titus 2:9,10 Early in my business career I noticed how easy it was for people—including …
Leading Others by Following God
From Joshua 3 The wilderness was the only home they knew for forty years. Slavery in Egypt was the only home their ancestors had known for four hundred years. They had no idea what a Promised Land was, not even in their dreams. Joshua understood the wilderness, but he didn’t know how to move into a Promised Land. Joshua …
King Me Now!
So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” Acts 1:6 “Please pray that I can find a job.” I’ve heard this request in prayer meetings. Secretly I pray, “Please don’t send him to us for a job.” He’s not asking us to …
It’s God’s Calling, Not Yours
From Acts 1, When the Apostles Replaced Judas Judas Iscariot was given one of the greatest callings the world has ever known. His name could have been written in history as a great force for bringing God’s kingdom to earth. Instead, he became a Judas, a great betrayer. His greed blinded him from understanding the opportunity in front of …
What if Today is Special?
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with …
Hot Questions That Burn Your Insides
Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4, 5 Mealtime is a great time to discuss whatever’s on your …
