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According to God's Will

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 03:20:56 -0500

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of Him."

1 John 5:14-15

ALMIGHTY GOD offers a friendly audience in the form of prayer, but not just any prayer. It is a prayer positioned in humility, offered by faith, and aligned with His will. Prayer rests on the platform of God’s providence. It is this baseline belief that captures a heart for Christ’s agenda. Prayer places people at the portal of His presence to discern His purpose.

So what does it mean to pray according to His will? It does not mean we ask flippantly or foolishly, but it does mean we ask boldy in humility. A prayer according to His will wills what God wills. We pray not our will, but His will be done. My will submits to His will from a dependent heart and mind; then He defines His expectations.

Jesus modeled this for His followers in intense prayer: “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will’” (Matthew 26:39 NKJV). His heavenly Father’s will was death, so others could be saved. God’s will works out what is best for all.

We know we are praying according to the Lord’s will when we hold the results with an open hand. Instead of willing a response in our own strength, we rely on His strength. One indicator is I am not stressed over the outcome of intercession but trust almighty God to govern my affairs accurately and according to His promises.

We know it is His will for men and women everywhere to be saved, so we intercede on their behalf. We can be confident that Christ’s desire for His children is to love and forgive one another, so we approach His throne with this passionate petition. Scripture give us plenty to pray about according to His will. In the unknown, we pray for His will. The Lord already knows what you need and will instruct you in the way you should go.

Jesus said, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on, earth as it is in heaven’” (Matthew 6:8-10.

Am I praying according to God’s will? Am I persistent in prayer over the unknowns, and do I rest in Him for results?

Exhaustive Image Control

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 01:30:33 -0500

“If someone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eight day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ."

Philippians 3:4-7

WHAT IS image control? It is the motivation to make sure we appear as we want others to think about us. The exterior of who we are becomes more important than the interior of who we are in Christ. We are concered, consumed, and in some cases obsessed over how we look, what we wear, what we drive, what school we attend, where we work, and where we live.

However, image control is exhausting because it is never quite satisfied. Jobs have to be a little more prestigious, cars a little more luxurious, homes a little more opulent, and status a little more admirable. The curse of image control is subtle because it can be confused with godly ambition, which is good. The difference is the first is about striving for self, while the latter is about dying to self. Godly ambition does its best and trusts the Lord.

Image control suffers from a sense of superiority prompted by pride. Jesus describes a religious leader afflicted by his condescending attitude and lofty self-image: “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get” (Luke 18:11-12). Humility lifts up Jesus, not self.

If we are not halted by humility, we become like Narcissus peering into a prideful pool, loving an image that is a figment of our imagination. Instead, as Spirit-filled followers of Jesus, we see ourselves as precious but peculiar people who are pilgrims just passing through on our way to heaven, not encumbered by the weights of worldly expectations. As we journey for Jesus, we want our simple life to point others to our Savior.

So who is in control of your image? Have you surrendered your self-image to your Savior Jesus Christ? Let go of the shallow sense of worth from the world, and embrace your eternal value in the Lord. Almighty God has already defined you as holy and acceptable to Him in Christ Jesus. Your inner beauty is what He admires most and celebrates.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:3-4).

How much energy do I exhaust on image control? Do I trust Christ to control my images?

Self-Made Myth

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:42:42 -0500

“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today."

Deuteronomy 8:17-18

SOME ARE BORN into privilege, and others are first-generation wealth. The latter are commonly described as “self-made,” “pulled up by their boot straps,” or “new money.” The flaw in this thinking is God can be completely left out of the equation or given credit after the fact - marginalized at best. However, God’s will is at work above man’s efforts.

The Lord determines what country and family we are born into and what stage in history we live life. Christ creates our physical appearnace, He infuses our intellignece, and He gives us the drive and determination to work, live, and love. To take credit for our success is to ignore the glory of God, to worship our idol of achievement.

“And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything. Rather He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands” (Acts 17:25-26).

The One who designed the intricateness of the human brain determines its intelligence quotient. The One who gave us the feelings of love, anger, compassion, and peace is the One who establishes our emotional intelligence. The Lord Jesus is Lord over all, or He is not Lord at all. So we all bow - the successful and unsuccessful - at the throne of God.

“Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worth, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being’” (Revelation 4:9-11).

Be careful not to settle for false humility as a veneer over the self-made myth. Authentic humility is able to keep Christ as the focus instead of the fanfare others may create over what you have done. The foot of the cross is level for all who will linger there in adoration and thanksgiving. Gratitude and generosity govern a humble heart after God.

Humility prays like the ultra successful King David: “You are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name” (1 Chronicles 29:12-13). Work smart and hard, and do your best, giving God the glory!

Whom do I acknowledge as the giver of all good things? Is my humility authentic?

Kindness And Compassion

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 09:26:57 -0500

“Be kind and compassionate to one another."

Ephesians 4:32

KINDNESS AND COMPASSION are compelling commercials for Christians. When the misguided see manners from those who follow their Master Jesus, they are drawn to faith. So in the pressures of life, we who know the Lord know better, and we behave well. We are called to remain courteous when cursed and to stay cool when conversations heat up.

When slammed in the face by someone’s disrespectful attitude, kind Christians “turn the other cheek” and offer respect. The disrespectful are disarmed by respect. There is no need to lower ourselves to the immature shenanigans of those spurred on by self-image instead of Christ’s control. What insecure person needs a kind word from you?

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:12-13). Kindness is slow to anger and quick to forgive.

Do you have colleagues at work in need of compassion? Have you looked beyond their complaining to the hurt harboring in their heart? Perhaps you take them to lunch and learn more about their story. Fill in the blanks of what is behind their bad behavior. Is it an absent father or a smothering mother? Have they been abused, rejected, or unloved? Are they angry at God?

Compassion takes the time to care without compromising excellence in what is expect at work. If we drive others just to get results, we miss the riches of relational development. Everyone has a story that needs understanding and acceptance. Everyone needs compassion, as this puts a face on Jesus and the forgiveness that comes from Him.

“I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which He is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us - yes, the many good things He has done for the house of Israel, according to His compassion and many kindnesses” (Isaiah 63:7).

Because of the Lord’s many kindnesses we have experienced and His rich compassion shown in our life, we are capable of representing Him well when we engage the world. It is an overflow of Christ’s compassion for you that encourages others in your daily communications. It is the kindness of Jesus, exhibited in your actions, that draws other to Jesus. Indeed, clothe yourself daily as a kind and compassionate agent of almighty God.

Jesus modeled kindness when He replaced condemnation with compassion toward the woman caught in adultery. “‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin’” (John 8:11). Christ followers are known by their compassion.

Who needs and ongoing act of kindness or a compassionate conversation from me?

Leaders Are Learners

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 08:46:03 -0500

“What do you know that we do not know? What insights do you have that we do not have?"

Job 15:9

LEADERS who stay enrolled in God’s chool of learning are more the wiser. You have learned tremendous lessons over the years, but this is just the beginning. Stay in the educational process. We never arrive as learners. Teachability should only cease after our graduation into heaven. Indeed, great leaders want to follow leaders who are learners.

Effective leaders know that a growing leader will pass on his or her learning experiences. Great leaders grow leaders! And there is a good chance that what you are currently learning as a leader is the same lesson someone else is struggling to conquer. Your ability to stay engaged in the learning process allows you to tutor other leaders facing the same issues.

When we stop learning, we cease to be relevant, we become stale, and our influence begins to wane. Learning keeps us engaged with our team and with other leaders. Moreover, a wise leader understands the learning curve required to tackle new issues and problems. Every day there are opportunities that beg for attention and understanding. This means greater wisdom is required. Gratefully, the Lord gives wisdom liberally to those who ask. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

Furthermore, learn from everyone and everything around you. Educated and uneducated, rich and poor, young and old are all teacher candidates. God places people in our life daily as His teachers. Perhaps you study the lives of people from the past. Youcan read biographies, book reviews, and historical novels. Dead people are rich with life lessons to be harvested and stored in your barn of knowledge - both positive and negative examples.

Of course, feasting on the classics is imperative to the leader who is hungry to learn. Read books together and discuss them as a leadership team. Expose yourself to their timeliness, and you will find yourself lost in learning. Your mind and heart will travel to uncharted waters, where others have not feared to fail and succeed.

The classics will challenge you to become a critical thinker and look beyond the surface for great nuggets of truth. Why mess around with the milke of easy thinking when we can plunge in the meat of issues that great thinkers have wrestled with over the centuries? Most importantly, feed on the wisdom of God’s Word. Holy Scripture is your number one source for truth. Wise leaders apply the practical principles for living found in the Bible.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

What is God teaching me as a leader? Am I embracing and applying His wisdom?

Forgiveness Empowers

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:51:53 -0500

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, range and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Ephesians 4:30-32

FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT is facilitated by forgiveness, but unforgiveness grieves the Spirit of God. Resentment harbored in the heart of a child of God resists the work of the Spirt. If, however, forgiveness is fluid and forthcoming, the heart is free to be transformed by the Holy Spirit’s influence. Forgiveness positions believers to be belssed.

God grieves when His children cannot get along and are encumbered and sometimes estranged by chronic unforgiveness. The Lord longs for the righteous to be reconciled, for He has given us the ministry of reconciliation. How can we call unbelievers to be reconciled when we are unable to be reconciled? Indeed, Spirit-filled followers of Jesus forgive.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He Has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19).

Who, by their unjust deeds, has imprisoned your heart in unforgiveness? Who are you unable to forgive - an absent parent, a prodigal child, an unethical partner, an evil boss, an intensive sibling, an imperfect pastor, an unfaithful friend, or an abused individual? Perhaps you are waiting for them to change before you plan to forgive them.

But objects of unforgiveness can be oblivious to their hurtful actions. You may be waiting for those who are unaware of what they have to do to repent, or they may be incapable of change. Why not forgive them as God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven you, trusting Him to change them? Release yourself from being responsible to do what only the Lord can do.

Once you forgive, you are positioned to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. No longer is He grieved by your unforgiveness, but He empowers your forgiveness. The frustration of the Spirit flourishes in the fertile soil of forgiveness. Your act of unconditional forgiveness may be the very illustration of grace that God uses to draw your offender to Himself. So by faith forgive and trust the Holy Spirit to empower you and those you forgive.

“I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly” (Genesis 50:17).

Am I grieving the Holy Spirit by my unforgiveness? Whom by God’s grace do I need to forgive?

Forgiveness of God

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 23:59:00 -0500

“In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."

Ephesians 1:7

THE FORGIVENESS of God is far-reaching and without limitation to anyone who believes. He forgives the worst of sinners and the best of saints. Atheists, adulterers, murderers, liars, the hot-tempered, and the mild-mannered can all receive the free forgiveness of their heavenly Father. The good, the bad, and the ugly are all candidates for God’s grace.

Jesus Christ’s death on the cross bought us back, redeeming us from the penalty of sin. By faith in Him we no longer have to be burdened by our own indiscretions against almighty God. All sins of omission, commission, and ignorance can be laid at the foot of the cross and left for our Lord’s pardon. Have you been freed by His forgiveness?

Will God forgive years of religious neglect? Yes. Will God forgive a life that lives for itself alone? Yes. Will the Lord forgive divorce, irresponsible living, and laziness? Yes. Will He forgive my chronic complaining, my bad attitudes, and my tendency to gossip? And are my pride in my good works and my self-sufficiency covered by Christ’s blood? Yes, God will forgive anything that is an enemy of His grace. His death gives peace.

“For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).

Forgiveness is free to all who believe, but it came at a great cost in Christ’s death. God gave His Son for our salvation from sin. So have you personally appreopriated faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? If so, since your salvation, do you regularly bow to Him in confession for the cleansing of your heart? Unconfessed sin clouds clear thinking.

Since you have believed, you are rich in God’s grace and have a robust remedy for sin. Do you take advantage of your Lord’s forgiveness? As a Christian, do you sit daily at the feet of your Savior and receive freedom through His forgiveness? At the cross you were set free from the eternal penalty of sin, and now His forgiveness frees you from the guilt of sin. Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you” (Acts 13:38).

Have I trusted Jesus for the salvation of my sins? What hidden sins do I need to repent of and confess to Him?

Humiliation's Hope

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 23:59:00 -0500

“I have become a laughingstock to my friends, though I called upon God and He answered - a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!"

Job 12:4

HUMILIATION HURTS. It is deeply painful. Humiliation comes when embarrassment is prolonged. Prestige and status are lost. It is a confusing state in which to live. People relate to humiliation like leprosy. Humility is admired, while humiliation is looked upon with suspicion - even disdain. At best, it receives pity. It is ominous to simply survive in shame.

People whom you thought would be at your side have walked away during this time of disgrace. Their excuse is they do not know what to say. This may be true, but beyond their speechlessness is a fear of association with failure. They are afraid others will think they are condoning your situation, or they are afraid others will see them afflicted with your same ailment. You are mortified. You feel abandoned by God and betrayed by people.

You are on the precipice of depression, and it is entirely possible you have fallen over its edge. You feel paralyzed - bewildered. But things may not be as bad as they seem. Do you have your health? Does the Lord love you? Are you still in business? Maybe you have blown it beyond belief, and to your chargrin you find yourself at the lowest point of your life. However, what humiliation tears down, humility can build back up in Christ.

Our God is the God of multiple chances. He understands, forgives, loves, and brings beauty out of pain. There is nothing you can do to erase the past or to clear up all the misunderstandings. What you can do is allow God to use this time of shame to bring Himself fame. He can be trusted, and He is faithful even thorough the depts of despair.

Let Him love you through this hard time. As Job lamented, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him” (Job 13:15). Our hope is in Jesus Christ. Every other pseudohope brings disappointment and delayed pain. Avoid these caricatures of peace, and cling to the Prince of Peace. Turn to your sympathizing Jesus, and He will soothe and heal your soul.

Lastly, we have an obligation to give hope to those hung up in humiliation. Do not try to diagnose their situation. Rather, pray for them. Be there to listen to them, while pointing them back to Jesus. Help transform their humiliation to humility by restoring them. Paul said it well, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).

Have I allowed the Lord to transform my humiliation into humility? Whom can I humbly serve who has been humiliated?

Eternal Expectations

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:59:00 -0500

“My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him."

WHAT DOES GOD THINK? What does He expect of me? These are two questions I do not always default to in my thinking. I want to want what He wants, but sometimes my wants get in the way and cause me to get off course. However, it is the Lord’s expectations that my soul craves for deep down. A soul is never satisfied until its expectations exceed earth. So how can we create expectations that lead our soul into an eternal perspective?

Soul care comes with the price of time, transparency, and truthfulness. Our soul will shrivel for lack of attention, or it will come alive with contemplation on Christ and honesty with ourselves. A busy, breakneck schedule without breaks for living only brings on spiritual fatigue. Without prayer to pace us, our decisions become earthbound and less wise.

Paul describes the tension: “I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirt of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:18-21).

It is in waiting on God that we come to understand His expectations. We acquiesce to the Almight’s outlook when we patiently sit at His footstool by faith. The soul rests between human comprehension and quiet unconsciousness, but it is in intimacy with our Maker that He enlivens our imagination. Eternal expectations engage the soul unleashed by belief. It is here that we come to expect what Christ expects.

Are you disappointed by another’s failure to meet your expectations? Probably, so shift your desires for fulfillment to Jesus, and He will not let you down. We need expectations of others, but only as they are filtered by faith into what our heavenly Father wants. Trust them with Him, and He will bring about His desired results. Eternal expectations extend our hope to heaven and the reward of waiting on God. So stay faithful to find Him first.

“Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God” (1 Chronicles 22:19).

Have my expectations been filtered by the eternal? What does God expect of me now?

Newlywed Focus

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 23:59:00 -0500

“If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty lain on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married."

Deuteronomy 24:5

THE FIRST YEAR of marriage is foundational for newlyweds. Our attitudes, actions, and habits define our marriage. If we start out with the habit of seeking to understand the other and quickly applying forgiveness when misunderstandings arise, chances are we will continue with this pattern. Love learns to forgive and start fresh.

Why not take the first year of marriage and really get to know one another? Limit your outside activities to church and close friends. Spend your time as a serious student of one another and what God’s Word teaches about marriage.

Furthermore, make sure the first year you thoroughly leave your father and mother and cleave to one another. Talk with your husband first - not your mom - about how he has disappointed you. Talk with your wife first - not your dad - about how she has let you down. Learn to work through conflict. What are other helpful habits to develop year one?

First of all, pray together and attend Bible study together. Develop the discipline of a daily time with God by reading His Word and praying. Learn how to love God more than you love your spouse.

Secondly, enjoy each other sexually. Romance one another. Become comfortable with your own body and the body of your mate. Discover what is pleasing and pleasant to one another, and then serve each other selflessly. “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wfie” (1 Corinthians 7:3-4). Unselfishness in marriage facilitates sexual fulfillment.

Thirdly, take the time to listen and talk. Have focused moments daily to share your day Men, genuinely listen and ask, “What is she really saying?” Most of the time she just wants to be heard and held. Men, do not immediately go into fix-it mode!

Lastly, have a financial game plan. Agree on a budget, and stick to it. Live within your means. Avoid debt, tithe to your church, save ten percent, and live on the rest. Otherwise you will never have enough, and you will live in perpetual frustration. Wise money management makes a marriage secure and satisfied.

Above all, focus on the Lord and your marriage throughout your marital relationship. Over time, the results will compound like invested money. You will be astounded at the depth and breadth of what God does through two surrendered souls!

What are the Lord’s priorities for our marriage? How can we develop good habits?

Temporal Trust

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 23:59:00 -0500

“What they trust in is fragile; what they rely on is a spider’s web. They lean on the web, but it gives way; they cling to it, but it does not hold."

Job 8:14-15

TEMPORAL TRUST is fleeting and deceptive. It looks like a safety net, but when you lean on it, it gives way. For example, you can trust in a good boss for your employment. However, your boss may receive a promotion, or he or she may leave the company altogether. Do not believe your job secrity revolves around a person or an institution. People may tell you something one day and do something entirely different another day.

Joseph experienced this when his boss believed an untrue accusation about his lack of integrity at work. “When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, ‘This is how your slave treated me,’ he burned with anger. Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined” (Genesis 39:19-20).

Trust in stuff is also vain, as metal cars cannot move mountains. Planes and homes cannot answer prayer. Stuff can provide leisure but cannot forgive your sins. Stuff can make life easier, but it cannot provide eternal life in heaven. Certainly money is not to be trusted; rather, it is to be given away and leveraged for God’s kingdom. Trust in what you can see, and you will be disappointed. Trust in what you cannot see, and you will be fulfilled.

Trust in God is like being an instrument-rated pilot who flies through the night.. The flickering lights that illumine the ground can be misleading. It is the accuracy of the pilot’s instrument panel that can be trusted. Otherwise, you may talk yourself into landing on a well-lit freeway instead of the safety of an airstrip.

So are the instruments of prayer, God’s Word, and wise counsel. God uses these tools to provide you the coordinates to direct your life. Do not be in a hurry. He gives you His coordinates for your life as you are ready to receive them. Whether they come one at a time or all at once, remain patient.

Refrain from moving forward until you know exactly the longitutde and latitude of God’s will. The last thing you want to do is land prematurely or, even worse, crash and burn. Trust in God. You cannot see Him, but you can see His evidence all around you - the marriage He healed, the body He made whole, the job He provided, the soul He saved, and the prayers He answered. These shout of God working all around you.

Christ is at work around you and in you. Trust Him with your prodigal child or with a friend who cannot seem to find his or her way. Trust means you give God everything moment by moment, especially those things out of your control. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

What temporal trust limits my trust in the Lord? How is He working around me?

Belief Brings Possibilities

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 23:59:00 -0500

“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'"

Matthew 17:20

BELIEF BRINGS POSSIBILITIES, while unbelief limits possibilities. It is the prison of unbelief that locks up dreams and big visions. Why do we jail what Jesus could do through us? Why do we trust Him with our son’s salvation but not with our life’s calling? It is forgetting the basic belief in God to do anything that limits the manifestation of grace. What is the Lord asking you to do that seemed impossible in the past but is knocking on the door of your heart today? What will it take for you to open the door and walk through? Is it enough money? If so, can He provide in ways outside of the convetional system of the world? Yes, of course. Christ can be unconventional in His provision.

Jesus decribed the degree of His care by contrasting our needs with nature’s nourishment. “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown in the fire, will He not much more clothe you?” (Matthew 6:30). The possibilities our heavenly Father offers are illustrated by His care of creation.

When faith falls short, we fail to see the extent of God’s ability to engage opportunity. But when we believe with big thoughts, they transcend our meager offerings and latch on to what the Lord can accomplish. Defective faith dies for dread of what might happen, but effective faith thrives over the hope of what can happen. What is the object of your belief? Is it Jesus alone or Jesus plus what your mind can comprehend? Belief trusts Him.

A mind released by God’s revelation is positioned for great things, so by faith ask Him to show you His grand plan for your next season of service for Jesus. Do not allow unbelief to hold you back; instead, embrace the possibilities from your heavenly Father’s portfolio of opportunities. Be open to career transition, mission work, aggressive giving, writing, traveling the world, Bible study in your neighborhood, marriage, or graduate school. Yes, build a bigger business or church, but all for the glory of God. Belief in Him trusts Him.

“‘You are My witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, or will there be one after Me’” (Isaiah 43:10).

What do I need to give over to God and trust Him with in exchange for eternal possibilities?"

Get Up

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 23:59:00 -0500

“When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ He said. ‘Don’t be afraid.’ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus."

Matthew 17:6-8

THE WORLD can get us down, but God gets us up. The cares of this world can choke out our motivation to move forward, but Christ is close by to release the pressure and resuscitate our resolve. What as you down? Is it finances, faith, family, foes? Is it a deal gone south or a relationship that has gone awry? What has you down, the Lord can lift you up!

“But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high” (Psalm 3:3).

We bow down in humility and reverence to almighty God, so we can get up, full of grace, and go on our way in quiet confidence. It is humble worship and praise that brings us back to the foot of the cross in gratitude to God for the gift of His only Son Jesus. We kneel at the cross overwhelmed by the forgiveness of our Savior Jesus, and we can get up to forgive.

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself” (John 12:32).

If fear has you down, get up and walk by faith. If regret has you down, get up and go make restitution. If a relationship has you down, get up and initiate interest. If your job has you down, get up and go after excellence. If misunderstanding has you down, get up and clarify your concerns. If life in general has you down, get up and live a life for God.

Jesus gently admonishes us to lift our eyes off our circumstances and on to Him. So first get up and go to God in trusting determination. Ask Him for directions, and He will lead you in the way you should go. How do you get to your next destination in life? Ask the Lord. How do you solve your most pressing problem? Ask the dispenser of wisdom, holy God. It is from your humble posture in the low place that He lifts you up to see His face.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).

How can I humble myself before God? Where does He want me to get up and go?

Argue Well

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 09:34:25 -0500

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasons with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Colossians 4:6

MATURE FOLLOWERS of Jesus learn to argue well. But have you ever been frustrated in trying to communicate with someone you care deeply about? Yes, we all have. It is not uncommon to have conflict reflected in caring communication. So how can we learn to argue well? One way is to use language laced with grace and seasoned with sensitivity.

Like selective seasonings over a tasty meal, we want our words to be attractive and appetizing. To argue well requires unfiltered debate, but not unfiltered attitudes. It is a patient and respectful attitude that solicits the best response. So, for example, when a friend, coworker, child, or spouse speaks with concern, we listen with understanding. The goal is to win the relationship, not to outdebate the other in a defensive exchange.

Persuasive speech without prayerful preparation becomes manipulation. Thus, spirited discussions require a Spirit-filled engagement, not carnal combativeness. One of Job’s friends asked a rhetorical question about a wise man’s words: “Would a wise person answer with empty notions or fill their belly with the hot east wind?” (Job 15:2). No, wisdom measures words well.

Arguments are inevitable if couples care for each another. The goal is not to avoid arguments, but to learn how to argue well. If you circumvent hard conversations, it will come back to hurt you more in passive-aggressive behavior. If, however, we first talk together to the Lord and then to each other, we converse with hearts aligned by the Almighty. Prayerful preparation injects grace in the flow of discussion. Like lubricant over metal gears, it keeps them running smoothly instead of grinding them to a halt.

“One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend” (Proverbs 22:11).

Therefore, learn to argue well by listening well and comprehending the heart of those communicating with you. Pray, as they talk, for your patience and attentiveness to their needs and wants. Once they understand you know what they mean, then share your concerns with love and affirmation. Be direct, as the Holy Spirit directs you. Those who argue well grow in respect, love, trust, and understanding of each other. Everyone wins with these Christ-honoring outcomes. By faith be vulnerable, and initiate authentic conversation.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

How can I become a listener who responds with grace and understanding?

Forgive Yourself

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 22:21:00 -0500

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Romans 8:1

HAVE you forgiven yourself? Have you really forgiven yourself? We know we have forgiven ourselves if we are free from guilt and self-condemnation. Otherwise, we are stuck in the crazy cycle of reliving bad decisions that are done and cannot be changed. It is impossible to continually guilt our conscience in order to make up for past mistakes.

When we do not release ourselves from previous indiscretions, we try to make up for them by overcompensating in the present. Perhaps you neglected your children in their early years, and now that they are older teenagers, you have tried to make up for your absence by enabling their poor decisions. Instead, they need to experience the consequences of bad behavior while they are with you, so they can learn and grow into responsible adults and citizens.

Jesus tells the story of a loving father who allowed his son to hit bottom. As a consequence, the son awoke to reality and took responsibility: “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you’” (Luke 15:17-18).

Forgiving yourself begins by embracing the truth that your heavenly Father has forgiven you. The grace of God is in abundant supply. No one is beyond its reach. The Lord loves you unconditionally, and He forgives the objects of His love. Has the grace of God seeped deep into your soul so that you know in your heart you are set free from the guilt and shame of sin? If not, forgive yourself, and trust the Lord to make up for lost time.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

When you forgive yourself, you are able to forgive others. Self-forgiveness is a key to unlocking real relationships. Authentic community with Christ and Christians comes from forgiveness from your heavenly Father, forgiveness from others, and forgiveness from you. What have you not released yourself from in forgiveness? Lay it at the altar of God’s grace, and He will extinguish it with His eternal fire of forgiveness and love.

“This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:38-39). When you love yourself, you forgive yourself!

How can I grow in my love and forgiveness of myself? How does God forgive me?

Painful Worship

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 21:12:00 -0500

“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship."

Job 1:20

ARE YOU struggling to understand? Are you stuck in a state of anger? Have you lost something or someone very precious? It may be the loss of your child’s health or even the death of a child. A spouse has gone to heaven or left you for someone else. You children are mad because they do not understand why you are divorced. They want their parents to work it out, so they can have a mom and dad. You want to see the children, but your ex-spouse’s anger has built a barrier between the two of you.

Is your heart hemorrhaging with hurt and animosity? In the middle of your ravished home, you also lost your job. You cannot afford to pay your child support because you do not have any income, and your net worth has vaporized. This is a barren and lonely time for you. Everything you once held dear and took for granted is now gone.

You have no spouse, no children, no home, no job, and no money. One is a lonely number. Where are you to turn when the bottom falls out? God seems detached, and heaven seems a trillion miles away. Can you be forgiven? Yes, you can be forgiven. God is a God of second chances. Because He forgives you, you can also forgive yourself.

Invite back and serve those you have hurt, and watch God perform relational, emotional and spiritual healing. Most of all, in the middle of your horrific loss, make the worship of Christ the ceterpiece of your life. Worship fuels faith and heals.

Worship the Lord in your pain and loss. It is healing to focus on the greatness, holiness, and wonder of God. Praise Him with your voice, and praise Him with your heart and mind. Borrow or purchase worship songs that will lift you out of the depths of despair into the loving presence of Jesus. You may need to let a caring friend cradle you in his or her arms and sing softly in your ear, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and “Jesus Loves [You].”

You can become your own one-man band. Collect pots and pans from your kitchen and clang them together. Let these crude musical instruments become a fragrance of praise to your heavenly Father. Sing from the bottom of your heart.

Your praise to God will become a pillow of rest to your head. Our focus on the Lord’s majesty through worship reminds us of our utter dependence on Him and His unconditional love for us. It is revolutionary, radical, redeeming, and renewing. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full into His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

Am I engaged in personal and corporate worship of my Lord Jesus?

Die to Multiply

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:57:00 -0500

“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernal of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

John 12:24-25

CHRIST’S WORDS can be counterintuitive and countercultural. What He says may not make sense on the surface, but with reflection the Holy Spirit reveals His intent. For example, Jesus instructs His followers to experience death in order to multiple life. Each day our Lord calls us to officiate by faith our own funeral of self-superiority and self-interest.

Indeed, death brings life. Christ’s resurrected life brings life to disciples who die to self. We die to our old way of life to gain the Lord’s new life. We die to carnal living and come alive to Spirit-filled living. We die to earthly affections and enthusiastically embrace heavenly affections. We die to mediocre living and engage in abundant living!

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).

If we want to multiply leadership, we die to doing everything. If we want to multiply our influence, we die to selfish desires. If we want to multiply money, we die to greed. If we want to multiply our energy, we die to laziness. If we want to multiply disciples, we die to unfaithfulness. Jesus modeled the way by giving His life in service and sacrifice.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

If we want to multiply love, we die to lust. If we want to multiply our character, we die to sin. If we want to multiply our faith, we die to unbelief. Because of the death of Jesus for you, you die daily for Him. Because of the resurrection of Jesus for you, you come alive each day for Him. Your master’s multiplication tables are based on the calculus of trust in Him. Your death invites His life to reign in you!

“In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through your faith in the working of God,” (Colossians 2:11-12).

What does my funeral of self-superiority look like? Is Christ’s life released in my life?

Trapped but Trusting

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:57:00 -0500

“So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, ‘May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!’ The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God."

Daniel 6:16, 23

DO YOU feel trapped by your circuslike circumstances? Have the jealous initiatives of another concocted your current rigmarole? Have your opportunities dried up like a lazy worm stuck on a sizzling summer sidewalk? Do outside forces threaten your faith? It is when we feel trapped that our trust in God releases His righteous reassurance.

I Am says, “I am with you through this trial where you feel on trial.” The Lord lovingly reaches out with these words, “I have loved you from eternity past and I will not stop loving you now or forevermore.” Jesus is our example, as we are reminded of His own pitlike experience on the cross when He announced to the world, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). I feel trapped, but I will still trust.

Fear is what drives trapped animals. Unable to move or defend themselves, they are at the mercy of friends and foes. But the threats we receive from outside forces are a farce when our heavenly Father is orchestrating the outcome. He is not interested or intrigued by what the enemy expects. All He wants is what is best for His children. He is faithful.

“Be strong and courages. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Like the children of Israel’s exodus from Pharaoh, your salvation is freedom from the slavery of sin and Satan. However, freedom by grace does not shelter you from occasions of wandering in the wilderness with God. What seems like a circuitous trap is your righteous route to robust character that comes from abiding in Christ, so remain in Him.

It is in our confined quarters with Christ that He keeps us at close proximity. When you see entrapment as sanctioned by your Savior, you see the world differently. Your Master’s matrix sees toothless, tame lions; unbelief sees fangs and ferocious ones. Unbelief coddles itself in the corner of the pit preoccupied by fear, but trust stands firm and courageously looks up toward heaven. Feeling trapped is meant to facilitate faith.

You are not in solitary confinement because He is with you. Indeed, look around you, and encourage prisoners of fear to embrace the grace of God in Christ Jesus. Your work or marriage is not a trap but an opportunity to remain faithful and display the glory of God. Man’s trap becomes God’s stage to show Himself faithful to all who fear and trust Him. “Free me from the trap that is set for me, for You are my refuge” (Psalm 31:4).

Will I remain snared by Satan, or will I trust Jesus in my trap? Am I abiding in Christ?[

God's Plan

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 09:25:26 -0500

"‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a futre.'"

Jeremiah 29:11

GOD"S PLAN is what is best. It is a good plan. It may not seem like a good plan right now, but God’s plan is good. This apparent contradiction is where it gets confusing. A messy life is not always a fun life. Currently you may be experiencing heartache and hard times. His plan does not seem good in your current circumstance, but God is still good.

Perhaps your spouse has been unfaithful. God’s plan seems to have taken a detour down a road of disappointment. You lost your home. God’s plan seems wrong. You were asked to resign. God’s plan does not seem fair. Your health is withering away. God’s plan seems premature with its invitation for your homecoming. Every step you take, every choice you make, and every place you go seems to lead toward more confusion and chaos.

So how can God’s plan be good, prosperous, and not harmful? To answer this question accurately and fairly, we need to consider God’s long-term plan. To walk wisely today requires a reminder of hope tomorrow. It is our future hope with God that inspires us to live for Him today. Wherever Jesus is, there hope resides. When we have Jesus, we have hope.

“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for” (Job 6:8).

Therefore, you can look forward to a better day. But do not miss what God is teaching you today. Hope for tomorrow does not preclude learning from the Lord today. This is all a part of God’s big plan. In the big scheme of God’s plan, there is suffering. Your suffering may even last a lifetime, but this does not cancel out the goodness of God’s plan. Suffering is our springboard into the depths of God’s love and grace.

“Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9).

Current challenges are preparation for His prosperity, His hope, and His future for you. On the other hand, you may be living large right now. Life looks good. God feels good. His plans seem to be rolling out flawlessly. Use this time to go deeper with Him, because the realities of His plan for you go much deeper than a surface, spiritual sentimentality.

His plan is robust and challenging. You can acquiesce to a plan of lesser consequence and miss His best. Or you can trust the Lord and follow hard after Him, even when His plan seems to have gone awry. Indeed, this is not your home. You are on assignment from heaven, so explore and enjoy His eternal exit plan. It is full of prosperity, hope, and a future. You can trust God’s providential plan works out for the purpose of His will.

“In Him we were also chosen, having been predestineed according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will” (Ephesians 1:11).

Is His plan what is best for me? Am I aligned with the Almighty’s plan for my life?

Leave and Cleave

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 17:09:13 -0500

"‘Haven’t you read,’ He replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator “made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh”? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.'"

Matthew 19:4-6

IT IS HARD for parents to give away their child in marraige. It is easy for parents to give away their child in marriage. These are mixed emotions that most fathers and mothers feel on the wedding day of their baby. I am happy the Lord brought the bride and groom together in holy matrimony, but I am sad to see them go. There is a hole in my heart.

But from the beginning our Creator made them male and female for the purpose of becoming one flesh. God’s desire for oneness with married couples can only happen by leaving father and mother and cleaving to Christ and one another. It is sad to see them go, but there is gladness, knowing they will grow in grace and in love for one another.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).

In fact, our children are limited in their understanding of the Lord if they remain under our roof. For their faith to become more real and robust, they must become their own man or woman. Faith is meant to flourish from the foundation of a Christ-centered marriage. They become one flesh in Christ, so they can learn to passionately follow the Lord and serve others. Parents have the privilege of letting their children leave well and cleave well.

Therefore, trust God with the transition of your children into young adulthood. Do not hamper their growth by hovering, but hold them with an open hand, and watch the grace of God grow them into trophies of His truth. Let them go, and let them grow. The hole in your heart means you love them so much; so love large, and let the Lord fill your hole of sadness with His cup of gladness. Cleave to Christ as they leave and cleave to one another!

“But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day” (Joshua 23:8 KJV).

Do I hold my child with an open hand? Am I cleaving to my spouse and Christ alone?

Lost Sleep

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 07:13:00 -0500

That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him."

Esther 6:1

SOMETIMES LIFE wakes us up in the middle of the night. The worries of the world can be heavy, even painstaking. It is hard to sleep when fear grips our heart, but Christ calms our conscience. A good night’s sleep is God’s gift. He provides firm reassurance during fickle times.

Your heart may be heavy with financial worries, relational stress, and/or health issues. A child may be giving you fits. A teenager can add to your growing gray hair. Or a tragic accident can add fuel to your fears; a lawsuit may be looming. It is hard to sleep when your circumstances seem out of control. What are you to do? A full night’s sleep has become as common as a snowflake in the desert. You lose heart when you lose sleep.

How can night interruptions be wisely interpreted? God speaks in the middle of the night. He may speak through the Bible. He may speak through a quiet prayer and contemplation. Either way, He has my attention, and He wants me to listen to Him. “On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night” (Psalm 63:6).

Take the time to journal during this time of sleep deprivation. If you do not write down your “God thoughts,” there is a good chance you will forget what He may be saying. The record of your engagement with God will become a future hope and encouragement. Your written word will serve as a reminder of God’s personal care and direction.

The fear of the night will give way to the peace of the morning. Convert your late-night pity party to a prayer party. Let God heal your soul and comfort your heart. He works twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, even when we are unaware. “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me” (Psalm 16:7)

Solicit your Savior Jesus to change you. Ask Him to make you more forgiving. Allow the unlimited forgiveness of God to flow through you. Be a channel of God’s grace to those in your life who are undeserving and unloving.

Forgive your heavenly Father for allowing you to go through this hardship. He is here to walk with you through adversity, not to crush you under its weight. Christ’s companionship will add hours to your sleep and maybe years to your life. Use this time of sleeplessness to grow your faith. The Lord’s largeness looms over your opportunities like a fresh coat of morning dew over grass. He has you covered. He can be trusted. This situation did not sneak up on Him. Go back to sleep, and rest securely in His arms.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

Does my rest at night rest in the Lord? What is God trying to teach me in my unrest?

Ongoing Gratitude

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:47:10 -0500

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

IT IS GOD’S WILL to give thanks in all circumstances. How can this be? Yes, in triumph and good things, but am I to be grateful in defeat and bad things? Often Christ’s thoughts are counterintuitive to man’s shallow assumptions. The Lord in His wonderful wisdom understand the advantage of thanksgiving in prosperity and adversity.

Perhaps we experience the marriage of a child and her fiance who love the Lord, and we rejoice and give Him the glory. Conversely, we have the heartbreak of a child who cannot keep his or her marriage together, and it ends in divorce. It is in this dark day of disappointment that we still say to our Savior, “Thank You for working all things out for the good of those who love You.” Thanksgiving governs our joy, peace, and contentment.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Gratitude and humility are first cousins. It is out of the fertile soil of thanksgiving that humility is able to grow and flourish. Gratitude says, “Thank you, God, for giving me salvation in Jesus.” Humility says, “I want to go deeper in my intimacy with Jesus.” Gratitude says, “Friends are a gift from God.” Humility says, “How can I serve them?”

“II always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all His holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus” (Philemon 1:4-5).

Furthermore, gratitude gives you the positive energy to engage life and live it to the fullest. It is out of your thanksgiving that you are able to understand God’s will and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. You can complain to Christ, just not about Christ. He wants more for you than you want for yourself, so be extremely grateful, ever rejoicing in Him.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

How has the Lord blessed my life? How can I express my gratitude to Him and others?

Christ's Second Coming

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 14:03:00 -0500

“For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what they have done."

Matthew 16:27

JESUS CAME the first time in a modest manger to save the people from their sin. Jesus is coming soon a second time with a grand entrance as King of Kings to judge the people for their sins and dead works. He rode the first time on a humble donkey. He will ride this second time on a brazen horse.

Christ’s second coming must matter most to the church because we are His bride, the body of Christ. How can the church be ready to greet its godly groom, Jesus? Like any faithful wife whose husband is away traveling for work or waging war overseas, we want to greet Him with a holy kiss. A faithfull church is not conformed by the culture; rather, it conforms the culture. The faithful bride of Christ is ready to rejoice at His glorious sight!

“‘Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear’ (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)” (Revelation 19:7-8).

When Christ comes back, He wants to catch the church evenagelizing the lost and making disciples. He hungers for her disputes to be with the devil and not with each other. A humble church does not use finances to build man’s kingdom but instead deploys resources to advance the kingdom of God. The church is ready for Christ’s return when she serves the poor, ministers to the body of Christ, prays for the sick, and preaches the gospel!

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).

Christ’s coming is also compelling for individual Christians. We want to be about our Lord’s business and not preoccupied with activities and assets that will burn up one day. The judgment seat of Christ is for Christians, not to be judged for salvation but to be judged for the quality of their works. You are wise when you invest in eteranal matters with your time and money. Christlike character, missions, prayer, Bible teaching, corporate and individual worship, and service in the community all make Jesus smile.

When Christ comes, make sure He catches you about your Father’s business. “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11).

How can my church and I personally get ready for the second coming of Christ?

Don't Be Afraid

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:23:00 -0500

“But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ He said. ‘Don’t be afraid.’ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus."

Matthew 17:7-8

FEAR is relentless in its pursuit to push peace from the heart of sincere followers of Jesus. No one is immune to its influence. You can be a new believer or a seasoned Christian of many years and still struggle with fear. Fear stalks us when, like a boxer, we fall to one knee and wonder if we can get back up again. But it is in that point of weakness that we look up and see no one except Jesus. Fear flees when we appropriate faith in our Savior.

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:22 KJV).

Fear sows doubt in our souls with “what-ifs.” What if I lose my job? What if we can’t pay the bills? What if we can’t retire? What if my child fails? What if he or she leaves me? What if the government takes over completely? What if I am rejected? What if I die? What if they die? What-ifs are not healthy to obsess over because they only feed fear. Instead, think thoughts that anchor your hope in the certainty of Christ and His control. He’s got you.

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:30-33).

Jesus expects us to get up from ungodly groveling in apprehension and worry and stand up by faith. Stand up by faith to Satan and his schemes to question God. Stand up by faith to emotions that forget the Lord’s faithfulness. Stand up by faith to institutions or political systems that marginalize faith-based behavior. When we stand up by faith, we experience God’s grace and assurance. Fear cannot coexist in the presence of faith.

Lastly, do not be afraid when the glory of God is revealed in all its radiant splendor. The Lord’s blessing may have burst upon you like cool, refreshing rain after days of drought and dryness. Do not wonder when it might be over; instead, enjoy Jesus and your window of opportunity to give Him glory for His gracious favor. The touch of Jesus is what is needed to trust Jesus. Bow before Him in awe and fear, but do not be afraid.

“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning’” (Exodus 20:20).

What fear of mine do I need to replace with faith? Do I invite the touch of Jesus?

Freedom in Focus

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:35:00 -0500

“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame."

Isaiah 50:7

FOCUS brings freedom, because there is permission to say no to good, competing ideas and opportunities. It is out of focus that faith is forged. When Jesus Christ is the focal point for direction and discipline, all other priorities fall into place. Focus on Him brings to bear heaven’s perspective and resources. A face like flint toward Jesus creates freedom to trust and wait on Him. Keep your Savior the spotlight, and you will see clearly.

But how can I stay focused on the Lord when life’s distractions tend to dominate my time? How do I remain a a frutful Chrstian and not be mired dow in the mundane? It is essential to first master the fundamentals of honesty, humility, patience, and servce to others. It is out of living the basic tenets of the Christian life that I can be trusted with more. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” (Luke 16:10).

Focus brings freedom at work when you assess your activity by results and not busyness. Perhaps you do a few things well instead of a lot of things mediocre. Average results reflect poor stewardship when you have above average potential. We know we area too busy when we constantly run late for meetings and have a pattern of broken promises. So how can we break this crazy cycle of overcommitment? Where do we start?

Focus starts by keeping your gaze on God with occasional glimpses on your circumstances. Ask what Jesus would do and how He would reach the goal. When your identity is in the One who loves you most, you become most like Him. Confidence bubbles up for those who first focus on their heavenly Father. He gives you the ability and know-how to be the best for Him.

“One thing I ask of the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple” (Psalm 27:4).

Therefore, by faith focus on a few things, and do them well. Once you have mastered the basics, then explore other exciting opportunities. God opens additional doors once you have gone through the door of faith and obedience in being fathful where He has you. You will experience freedom by stsaying focused on the Lord and His calling for you.

Jesus was the master at staying focused on priorities: “I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal” (Luke 13:32).

What one or two relationships do I need to focus on the most? Is the Lord my focus?