“So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus… Acts 1:21 Many men and women had been with Jesus during his ministry. For some reason, Jesus decided he wanted twelve men to lay the foundations of the New Covenant. Not forty-two. …
Keep Learning
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 …
When Does Run Mean Run?
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. 2 Timothy 2:22 Run? In Genesis 39, when Potiphar’s wife wanted sex with Joseph, he told her, “How can I sin against God?” Then he ran out of the room. She tried to stop him by grabbing his robe. As he tore himself away …
Calm Under Fire
Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:3 Audie Leon Murphy (20 June 1925 – 28 May 1971) was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II, receiving every military combat award for valor available from the U.S. Army, as well as French and Belgian awards for heroism. …
Don’t Ignore the Holy Spirit
Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:13, 14 Although I can’t see anyone else’s insides, I …
What Will I Do with Truth?
“What is truth?” he asked, as though that released him from his responsibility to do what was right. Perhaps Pilate thought pleading innocent could change reality. Lying often covers the real sin I’m trying to hide. At Pilate’s core, he loved pleasing people more than he loved truth. Truth doesn’t need defending. Truth is true. Lying doesn’t change the truth. …
Eleven Percent
Recently a family member had surgery to remove her gallbladder. That’s what happens to body parts that don’t work efficiently. Tests showed her gallbladder functioning at 11%. She suffered from severe bouts of pain and developed unexplained, inconsistent allergies that prevented her from eating most foods. Doctors couldn’t identify the issue for many months. She had emergency room visits for …
Only a Foreigner
Boaz knew Ruth’s background and dedication to Naomi. He saw her serving heart and willingness to work hard. He allowed her to glean his fields. Little did Ruth know God was getting ready to bless her beyond anything she could imagine and make her the wife of this highly respected, godly man. Ruth saw herself as only a foreigner. Our …
God’s Timeless Expectation of Us
Being young can be a cop-out. I can say, “I just don’t know,” “I don’t have the experience,” or, “no one ever taught me.” Or sometimes we’re given an opportunity beyond our years and we struggle to overcome the mental hurdle that we don’t have what it takes. God’s standards for each of us are timeless and ageless. Recently, I heard …
How to Build Wealth
The way to generate wealth is through hard work and wise decisions. Very few people accumulate wealth without these two ingredients. Often people look for short cuts to get things done, like a magic pill to lose weight or winning the lottery. Wealth is not always counted in dollars and cents. It may be the accomplishment of a big goal or …
Serve As Nehemiah Served
Nehemiah seems like a man with excellent character. Professional, humble, respectful and pleasant. One who knew how to serve well. Maybe this was why he was asked to come into the king’s presence and serve him wine. But on this day, Nehemiah was troubled. The king noticed and cared enough to ask him why. Nehemiah was terrified. Considering Nehemiah’s character …
A Leap of Faith
Have you ever been in such need of a miracle that you took a leap of faith? This woman did, and she was healed! If you never try, you’ll never know the feeling of sweet success God can give you. The great culture and success we’re experiencing today in our company is a perfect example of how God rewards you …
The Tone of Truth
The heart doesn’t easily separate the message from the tone it’s spoken in. When truth is given without love, people often run from the truth. The intent of the one who did the speaking matters little at that point. The inflammation caused by the harsh words becomes the message. Truth and wisdom don’t need to be spoken harshly. They stand …
Now Is the Time To Sow
In our recent board meeting, we discussed that we’re reaping a rich harvest today in some specific areas in the company because of what we intentionally sowed in 2015. We recognized we’ve had some gains as well as losses, but overall the harvest has been tremendous. You can’t control the outcome of your harvest, but you can control what you …
Who Are the Big Givers?
We make a big deal when someone donates millions of dollars to a cause. Think about Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Mark Zuckerberg. We know those names not only because of their wealth but because they are some of the world’s biggest donors. People think of the huge impact their enormous donations have. The “little people” rarely get much publicity …
Who Me?
Phillip
Give God Your Ordinary, Everyday Life
So often we think our lives won’t matter unless we do big things. Then we think we really would have something to show for ourselves. But God is asking us to give him what we already are doing. He works with simple, normal, and common stuff. He wants us like we are. We can present our everyday lives as our …
Defining the Call
Jesus told some people to follow him. He told others to go home. Each of us has a specific calling. I tried so many things when I was searching for direction from God. I pursued being a pastor, a missionary, a counselor and even a worship leader. I went full force into each of these. I pastored a home church. …
It’s in the Roots
Just as the roots of a tree are not visible above the surface, the roots in our lives are not visible. When a rooted tree gets hit with rain, wind, and ice, it stands tall and strong. Likewise, rooted people with a strong foundation can withstand the big storms of life. How rooted are you? When life hits you hard, …
Please Go-Today
Jesus sent his disciples ahead to the places he planned to visit. Today he sends us. When we represent Jesus to someone, we plant a seed. Sometimes the seed takes root and sometimes it doesn’t. If it does, perhaps that person will soon encounter him. Jesus said to pray for more workers. I’ve met many people who are naturally drawn …
His Light
Jesus isn’t referring to religiously correct people who claim to be Christians, but wear God as an outer shell of doctrines and rituals. These people campaign for positions and recognition among their peers. After a season, they tumble down in exhaustion from strife and self-effort. Behind their false light is inner darkness. Nor is Jesus referring to people who pour …
Courage Does What Courage Does
In the story of Daniel in the lion’s den, jealous government leaders saw that Daniel was about to be promoted over the whole kingdom. So they set out to get rid of him. These evil leaders decided to change the law to so it would conflict with Daniel’s loyalty to God. They appealed to the king’s ego and tricked him …
Which Are You?
Lazy people want to know how much they can get for the least amount of work. They live for sitting around, watching TV, drinking beer, and partying. The only thing they work hard at is playing the system—figuring out how to get the government to pay their bills, using their friends’ benefits to get freebies, finding loopholes and workarounds in …
Put It On!
God knows our battles, whether large or small, and whether fought in secret or where everyone can see. He provides the protection and strength we need to win against the greatest forces of evil. We can be more than conquerors! And we can prepare ourselves in advance by putting on the armor so we don’t give in to temptation when …
Proven
Proven And Saul clad David with his apparel, and he put a helmet of brass upon his head, and he clad him with a coat of mail. And David said unto Saul “I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them….” And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the …
Live at the Speed of Light
Live at the Speed of Light “Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” John 12:35, 36 Jesus told the people He would be with them …
Try Again
“[Jesus] said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A …
Keep Focused
Keep Focused Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 Bad stuff happens. Things go wrong. People hurt us. Experiences completely blindside us. Don’t be knocked off course by life’s hard hits. Don’t allow negativity or wrongdoing from others distract …
Imitate God
Imitate God Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Ephesians 5:1 We’re all imitators. Why not imitate God? Since we become like the people we hang out with, why not hang out with God? Imitating God is key to spiritual health and growth. “In everything” doesn’t leave room for my selfish tendencies in anything—even …
Write the Message
Write the Message “Write these things down for the future so that people who are not yet born will praise the Lord.” Psalm 102:18 I’ve been journaling on and off since 1969. March 30, 2016 marks six years of consistent, daily, organized journaling. It’s one of the best things I’ve done with my life. Here are benefits I experience: It …
