“Do not fear the conflict and do not flee from it; where there is no struggle, there is no virtue.” (John of Kronstadt) God uses trials and conflict to help us grow and to become close with Him. Through them, He is preparing us for a higher calling. “Perseverance must finish its work so that …
Author Mark Batterson reminds us that “when Christianity becomes a noun it becomes boring for most people. Christianity was intended to be a verb.” As Christians, we should be all about serving, helping and encouraging people…and engaging in a relationship with Christ. “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by …
What if we woke up today with only what we thanked God for yesterday? “…The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ …
“You don’t have to be great to serve but you have to serve to be great.” (Jon Gordon) The first person I ever heard say, “Character is who you are when no one is looking” was football coach, Jerry Claiborne. Coach Claiborne’s statement combined with Jon Gordon’s helps me to realize serving “behind the scenes” …
The following principle holds true whether leading a nation, business, team or a family: “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisors make victory sure.” (Proverbs 11:14) I never make a major decision without first seeking advice from at least three men who follow Christ and who I trust. We win when we …
“God, help me to see others not as enemies or as ungodly but rather as thirsty people. And give me the courage and compassion to offer your Living Water, which alone quenches deep thirst.” (Henri Nouwen) “On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone …
Procrastination and indecisiveness are the enemies of success. Comedienne Ruth Buzzi observed this: “The road of life is paved with flat squirrels who couldn’t make a decision.” While dealing with both the procrastination and indecisiveness of bureaucracy during WW ll, General MacArthur once demanded, “By all means do something!” When we “do something” we put …
Forgetting the past… Few ever needed or wanted to forget the past more than the Apostle Paul. He was an educated man but relentless in attempting to stop Jesus’ followers in any way possible. Then, he met Christ on the road to Damascus and everything changed. He became a new man who loved Jesus and …
“…God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being…” (Acts 17:27-28) There is a reason we seek truth and seek God… “He has made everything …
Charles Spurgeon once said, “Every man was born a Pharisee.” Of course, the Pharisees were a self-righteous religious sect who became so jealous of Jesus they eventually plotted to kill Him. Their pride prohibited them from humbling themselves before Jesus. In Philippians 2:3, Paul gave this advice: “In humility count others more significant than yourselves.” …