“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 Athletes never want to be described as soft. It means they lack the physical toughness or mental tenacity their sport demands, which leads to folding[...]
“Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” Philippians 3:17 Have you ever met a particular Christian and thought, “She’s the real deal!” Even if you can’t articulate exactly what it is—there’s just something genuine and sincere about[...]
“Therefore, all who are mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that to you as well;” Philippians 3:15 The apostle Paul used his own life to describe the attitude of a mature believer. We tend to think of attitude as something that[...]
“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” Philippians 3:7 What motivates you? The driving force behind our actions is usually whatever seems to benefit us the most. That’s why the apostle Paul’s life presents us with a challenge. Because[...]
During my first mission trip, I witnessed gratitude in a way I’d never seen before. You see, gratitude is a way of life for the Christians in Bolotnoye, Russia. I think I benefitted more from the believers in this small rural town than they did from me. They are living[...]
“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3 There’s a massive attempt these days to control what society does by shaping how it thinks. Anytime we, as believers, start to[...]
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 Our enemy, Satan, has two powerful allies—the world and the flesh. These three work in partnership to obstruct our spiritual growth and effectiveness. They’re[...]
“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron.” 1 Timothy 4:1-2 Today’s passage perfectly describes living in a post-Christian era. The decline[...]
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 Everyone lives by faith in something or someone. And the object of our faith determines the[...]