5 Life Lessons from Hardship

5 Life Lessons from Hardship

When the believer is disconnected from regular relationship with Jesus, he will struggle with a contented mind.  The gauge of our “contentedness meter” is overwhelmingly connected to living in the reality of the presence of God.

5 Important Choices for Betrayal, Suffering, and Abandonment

5 Important Choices for Betrayal, Suffering, and Abandonment

Our natural response to betrayal is hurt, depression, and even anger & bitterness.  However, the Lord did not choose these.  The supernatural response (Holy Spirit empowered) is burden for the betrayer, forgiveness, and continued sacrifice. 

4 Choices When Learning How to Wait on the Lord

4 Choices When Learning How to Wait on the Lord

Satan would have you and I to add something to the finished work of Christ.  David knew better.  David’s sin exposed him to this “friendly fire” (his own family leading this coup against him) and he knew only God’s merciful hand would save him.  He knew his defense…his salvation…was found in --

5 Appeals for Christian Living

5 Appeals for Christian Living

Our minds are filled with the thoughts of our own choosing.  Philippians 4:8 directs us to sharpen our focus on the target of our mind.  The Greek words used in this passage shows that this call for right thinking is tied to the peace of God mentioned in the verse 7. We still have a will, and we still must choose moral excellence; however, the peace of God will help fuel right thinking.

4 Truths that Impact How We Approach the Finish Line

4 Truths that Impact How We Approach the Finish Line

We are all running a race on this earth.  It is the race of daily living as we navigate our families, marriages, workplaces, friendships, personal struggles, and personal victories.  We must finish the race well.  To run the race well, we must think beyond what we can see (like a runner in a long-distance race).  Let’s take a look at what is at the finish line.

Persevere

Persevere

Paul did not accomplish great things for God because he never sinned or never experienced hardship.  Paul accomplished great things for God because he walked in humility, kept on getting back up, sharpened his focus on the prize (Phil. 3:14), and persevered to the end. Take time to sharpen your focus on the target!

No Looking Back: 6 Outcomes of Walking Away from God

No Looking Back: 6 Outcomes of Walking Away from God

We often struggle with our past as well.  Consider this list of possibilities that the Philippian believers needed to leave in the past: relationship hurts (2:2-3), selfishness (2:3), pride (2:7-8), complaining (2:14), arguing (2:14), and belief in false teaching (3:2-3).  Are you leaving your past in the past?

4 Outcomes of Rejecting My Own righteousness as Good Enough & Choosing to Follow God

4 Outcomes of Rejecting My Own righteousness as Good Enough & Choosing to Follow God

So, we ask, “what is the point?”  How does heeding repeated warnings against false teachers, embracing God’s righteousness for justification, and rejecting my own righteousness as sufficient impact me today?  This is an important question!  Here are 4 outcomes of rejecting my own righteousness as good enough and choosing to follow God: