When we are in Christ to instruct, we learn to teach. Learning is the vertical component of the cross; teaching is the horizontal. In order to learn, we must engage in the grace of Christ. Paul wrote: “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1). There […]
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In Christ to Instruct – Learn to Teach (2 Timothy 2:1-13)
In Christ to Instruct – 4 Barriers to Evangelism and Discipleship (2 Timothy 2:1-2)
How do you plan to equip and release future generations with the gospel of Christ? Rarely is this question addressed because we remove ourselves from the responsibility for at least four reasons captured in the following statements: “I’m not worthy;” “I’ll create conflict;” “I don’t have time;” or “I don’t know enough.” First, we feel […]
Pray or Prey? (1 Peter 5:7-10)
How do you respond when you are stressed? There is something about worry or anxiety that screams our need for God. When conflict in our hearts arise, our response is either to pray or become prey of the enemy. The Apostle Peter clearly understood this internal battle. Peter wrote: “Cast all your anxiety on him […]
House of Leadership: God’s Idea (Proverbs 3:19-20)
Have you hardened your heart toward God and made a string of foolish choices? Has the ensuing conflict left you confused? Do you feel disconnected from Him? If so, He is ready, willing, and able to offer you healing. The House of Leadership is God’s blueprint for success. This was His design when He created […]
House of Leadership – Four Walls That Disconnect Us From Others (Proverbs 24:5b)
Are you building walls or bridges in your interpersonal conflict? Left unchecked in conflict, we build four walls that disconnect us from others. First, we hold on to conflict, mulling over our selfish perspective of the two objects attempting to occupy the same space at the same time. Second, we foolishly seek the satisfaction of […]
House of Leadership – The Furnishings are Knowledge (Proverbs 24:4)
How well do you know the opposing person in your conflict? Once our house is built, it is time to furnish it. Solomon concluded: “Through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures” (Proverbs 24:4). Knowledge is the connection of the innermost part of two or more persons through the Spirit of God. […]
House of Leadership – The Framework is Understanding (Proverbs 24:3b)
Are you experiencing a conflict where your relationship is falling apart due to a misunderstanding? After digging our footer and laying our foundation, God builds our framework. Solomon continued: “And through understanding it is established” (Proverbs 24:3b). Understanding is insight that occurs through the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 9:10). Established means “to build up.” In order […]
House of Leadership – The Foundation is Wisdom (Proverbs 24:3a)
Is the foundation of your life the rubble of foolishness or the firm foundation of wisdom? After we humble our hearts to God, He lays our foundation. Left to ourselves, our foundation is foolishness, a progressive hardening of our hearts from wet cement to cured concrete in direct opposition to God. We deceive ourselves into […]
House of Leadership – The Footer of Humility (Proverbs 11:2; 9:10; 22:4)
Do you have a blueprint for success? Within your team, business, family, or non-profit institution, do you have building plans to positively influence your target audience? Tucked away in the Bible’s Thirty Sayings of the Wise is God’s secret blueprint for any organization or movement to successfully lead its culture. It is The House of […]
Online with God – 30 Day Experiment (Matthew 6:6)
When and where do you pray most frequently? Jesus taught: “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). Two thousand years ago in Palestine, the only room with a door […]
Surrender to be Spirit-Led (Psalm 145:18-21)
Where do you place your trust when you are tempted? We have an innate tendency to trust in our own strength, often falling prey to the temptation, rather than surrendering to the power of God who is present with us, ready, willing, and able to deliver us. David was so in tune with the closeness […]
Yield (Psalm 145:17)
Are you holding on to a past hurt by someone who has wronged you? If so, how is it affecting your relationship with God? David recognized God’s unlimited righteousness and love: “The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made” (Psalm 145:17). Righteousness and love are two components of […]
Ask (Psalm 145:13b-16; Matthew 6:11)
What do you ask of God when you pray? Because David depended on God, he asked Him to supply his needs. He recognized God as faithful, loving, restoring, giving, and satisfying (see Psalm 145: 13b-16). Today, we are offered the same opportunity to ask God to supply all our needs in Christ (see Philippians 4:19). […]
Renew (Psalm 145:8-13a; Romans 12:1-2)
How often do you renew your mind from the toxic thoughts that enter it? David renewed his mind to be focused on God’s kingdom rather than his own. A kingdom is the effective reach of one’s will. In a monarchy, a king’s will reached to the ends of his kingdom. However, atypical of an eastern […]
Praise (Psalm 145:1-7)
How frequently do you take time to praise God? Praise means “to bend down and to lift up.” David bent the knees of his heart and lifted up the name of God daily: “I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise […]
Online with God 24/7 (Psalm 145)
When, where, and how do you pray? Is it only in times of crisis or need, possibly once a week at church? Prayer is being online with God when our hearts are connected with His: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). Being online includes […]
Hope In Christ (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Do Satan’s schemes leveraging his bait, hook, line, and sinker leave you feeling hopeless? There is hope, and that hope is Christ. He will guard our hearts. When temped with the bait, God always provides a way out in Christ: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; […]
Satan Preys on Our Feet (Proverbs 4:26-27)
Wherever our feet carry us, we can sin. Even our hands are subject to where our feet travel: “Make level paths for our feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:26-27). The third of the three pathways that temptation […]
God Hates Sinful Eyes (Proverbs 6:17)
What is the focal point of your eyes? We are reminded God hates eyes that sin (see Proverbs 6:17). Still, when the day’s images replay in our minds, they often include what we have seen on the internet, whether wise or foolish. Our culture, especially millennials, is bombarded by social media images on a daily […]
Satan Preys on Our Eyes (Proverbs 4:25)
What has been the focal point of your eyes this week? Think about the images that captured your gaze most frequently. Now here’s the big question: What do those images reveal about your heart? The second target of temptation is the lust of our eyes (see 1 John 2:16). In our peripheral vision, we see […]