From Ephesians 4 So, stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. We’re moving through life inside our bodies and spirits. I can’t be you and you can’t be me. Our spirits connect through words, what we tell each other. When we tell each other truth, we have …
Even From Prison
I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else, too, found out that I’m in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they’ve learned all about him. Not only …
Be for Jesus, Who’s for the World
This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. Colossians 1:6 When we truly encounter Jesus, we change. We don’t need lengthy training. That’s what …
The Real Enemy
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:11,12 I’ve been thinking about the Armor of God. The armor protects …
The Wise Invite Rebuke
Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. Proverbs 29:1 It takes humility to let a rebuke sink in and alter your perspective. The temptation is to lock down and start counting the other person’s faults after a reprimand or a piece of harsh feedback. When we do that, the negativity digs a pit in our …
Loving as Jesus Loved
Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. John 13:1 Jesus is the best example to follow in anything in life. Jesus taught us that love is the most important thing. Love is the healthy …
When I’m Down
Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me. Micah 7:8 I know Satan wants to take me out. Perhaps that’s why I struggle so much with fear, feeling weak, and inner darkness. Micah 7:8 is my sometimes go-to verse when I’m …
Don’t Complain
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2:14-15 Complaining about circumstances actually makes things worse, Benefits of not complaining: Better attitude, happier and attract positive people Sleep better Better health More …
Mother Wisdom
“To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,” Proverbs 8:4, 10 NIV How true, that wisdom surrounds us every day, it’s not hiding and it’s not available to just a select few. To stay sharp our ears and heart must always be …
Merging Together
Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. Acts 13:1 Please go back and read that list again. Did you notice the mixture of people? They didn’t all look alike. They came from many backgrounds. …
Kings Need Friends Too
Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend. Proverbs 22:11 Kings are so busy, they don’t want to be distracted or aggravated by people who refuse to cultivate good communicating skills. Get rid of your baggage and develop good, sincere communicating skills so good people will want to be your friends. You …
Judo God
Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died. Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers. Acts 12:23, 24 I took a Judo class in college. The instructor taught …
End-of-rope-ology
You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. Matthew 5:3 So many times, I’ve tried to think through or figure out a situation, when I really needed to just let go. I sat in meetings with CEO’s of large companies thinking, “What am I doing …
Face it
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ “-Eleanor Roosevelt “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you …
One Day
One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So, after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. Acts 13:2-3 See the amazing faith of these mature men who …
Crucial Conversation
“The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.” Matthew 12:35 We hear all the time if a crucial conversation needs to happen, make sure you pick up the phone, or try to talk face to face and not by email. Whichever method …
Raw Courage and a Pure Heart
Paul looked the sorcerer in the eye. Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck …
Celebrate God in Each Other
“Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!” Philippians 4:4-5 What does it mean to celebrate God …
What Can We Learn from King Herod?
Now Herod was very angry with the people… Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech. The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!” Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of …
I Once Was Lost
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” -Isaiah 53:6 One day at lunch I was seeking tranquility from a heavy workload and I found myself looking at God’s beauty at our local golf course. It’s beautiful there and I was soaking …
When Hatred Strikes
King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.) Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. …
Ant Faith
Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” Proverbs 6:6-8 The ant was designed with a God-given set of instincts that drive the outcome of her behavior and discipline. But we’re the same, designed by an …
Lighting the Darkness
“I will go before you…” “And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness— secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name. Isaiah 45:1,3 Jesus gives us night vision to see opportunities, wisdom, and paths that are humanly impossible to …
I Didn’t See Myself as Lazy
Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper. Proverbs 13:4 For most of my life, I’ve wanted to play guitar and sing. In recent years I’ve wanted to play and sing to God with Gina. Most of the time when we played, we got frustrated with each other. As Gina and I are …
Chosen Words
The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. Proverbs 10:11 Our words can bring life to others or tear them down. One wrong word or tone can change what someone hears or feels about what you’re saying and turn them in the right or wrong direction. We should only use …
Greater is He Who Serves
Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. Luke 22:27 I’m a selfish, self-absorbed person who would do anything to get out of serving others: Cast vision. Delegate. Give money. …
Little Me, Big World
The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. Psalm 29:3-4 People fill their tiny little brains with so much noise, they drown out the world around them. Sometimes it’s busy, crazy, chaotic noise. Sometimes it’s white noise. Either way, it’s …
Don’t Worry About the Speck in Your Friend’s Eye
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” Matthew 7:1 Many times, we create a standard to live by. Then we judge the people around us or compare ourselves to how we’re doing …
Looping Logic
Soon the whole city was filled with confusion. Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another. Everything was in confusion. In fact, most of them didn’t even know why they were there. Acts 19:32 Loral Langemeier, one of my first business coaches, taught me about looping logic. Suppose you had a flat tire on the …
Harmonious Team
This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 When we work …
