The Believer’s FruitGenuine believers produce fruit in their lives. They give evidence of their new life in Christ and reflect the glory of God their Father. Included is the fruit of the Spirit which primarily consists of social virtues. All kinds of sin erupt when human beings interact with each other—enmity, jealousy, rivalry, strife, lust, and fits of anger. But Christians who live by the Spiri...  Read More

The Believer’s HelperThe disciples were grieved during their last meal as Christ spoke of leaving them and began to give them final instructions. In the midst of their sorrow, he encouraged them with a remarkable promise: “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7, emphasis mine). Jesus was leav...  Read More

So what can be done? How can we battle the killer of our purpose and fight distraction with everything we’ve got?This is a big, important topic and I can’t give you every strategy I’ve learned over the years. But I will provide you with three that have most helped me conquer my distractions and fast-track my pursuit of purpose.  1. Engage Your Decision PowerTime is fear’s favorite food. If you wan...  Read More

Nehemiah 8:12-17Then on the second day the heads of fathers' households of all the people, the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law.  They found written in the law how the Lord had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel should live in booths during the feast of the seventh month.  So they proclaimed and circulated...  Read More

Purpose thrives on believing what’s possible, on dreaming up what can be, and by working passionately in the here and now.Nowhere in that equation is there room for what was, what didn’t work, and what could have been.Distraction #5: Our Past.It was during my study of Joseph that I realized where we begin has no bearing on how far we can go. Yet, so many of us remain tied to the mistakes and pains...  Read More

Distractions have a few different sources. Many of them grow out of desires and false beliefs we hold inside ourselves. Others come from outside—from the environments we’re in, the voices we listen to, and even the people we love.This one might be difficult to work through, but it’s vital to understand so that it doesn’t knock you off track.Distraction #4: What Others Want For Us.Sometimes those c...  Read More

Christians falsely believe that every distraction they must battle will be a negative one. Some destructive opportunity or habit that clearly pulls them away from their spiritual walk.But this just isn’t the case. It’s important to know that positive things can often be just as detrimental to our purpose as negative ones.Distraction #3: Our Service To God.Christians need to internalize this truth:...  Read More

What are landmark moments in your life? Can you recall times when God did something big in your life? What are some of God’s wonderful works in your life, in your family, or in the life of your church? How did you celebrate those times and how do you commemorate them after the fact?1 Chronicles 16 marks the return of the Ark to Israel under David’s watch. This is no small thing. The Ark represente...  Read More

Nehemiah 8:9-12Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.  Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for th...  Read More

Purpose requires progress while fear freezes those who participate in it. This second distraction may seem overwhelmingly large, but once you take action – you’ll see how hard it falls.Distraction #2: What Scares Us.In Matthew 14 we read the story of Peter walking towards Jesus on the water.In my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful and most heart-breaking examples of distraction.Peter challen...  Read More

From what I know about the heroes of Scripture, your ability to overcome distraction will be the number one determinant of how successful you are on your path to purpose.David was distracted by pleasure. Abraham was distracted by fear. Paul was distracted by pain. We give our distractions all sorts of names, but at the end of the day, distraction is anything that pulls our attention away from God....  Read More

In my third year of college, I had the opportunity to help lead and organize a game for an event called Junior Jam. To help you understand the scale of this event: approximately 800-1000 kids (ages 8-12) would all descend upon the college campus for a 12-hour day full of activities. Hundreds of churches, leaders, and students would organize the day. There would be food, speakers, a concert, and th...  Read More