The Dirtiest Battle = Your Greatest VictoryScripture:  2 Samuel 5:8So David and his men stood before the mountain. A wide area on top had been flattened. Huge walls surrounded the city. There was no way in.Then, David’s eyes fell on a water tunnel. This can also be described as a water shaft or a gutter. And David turned to his army and said, “First one who gets up the gutter . . .”Have you ever c...  Read More

Don’t Give Up on God Because He Never Gave Up on YouScripture:  Isaiah 42:16, Psalm 9:10God is not in the business of replacing damaged people. God is in the business of fixing damaged people. He does not want to get rid of us. He wants to change us. He wants to heal us. He wants to transform us. He wants us to live out the message of the cross.A story is told about a man parked on the side of a r...  Read More

Learn to Love Yourself FirstScripture:  Jeremiah 31:3-4God wants to restore you. He wants to offer you the ring of acceptance. He wants to reconcile you to the Kingdom. He wants to invite you to sit at His table. As it is written in Isaiah 61:7, “Instead of shame . . . you will enjoy a double share of honor.”Once we get ahold of the truth of grace, not only does it empower us to forgive and love o...  Read More

Haggai 2:3-9Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison?  But now take courage, Zerubbabel, declares the Lord, take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage, declares the Lord, and work; for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts.  As for th...  Read More

Love Wins—All the TimeScripture:  John 21:15-17Love is the answer to the broken home. Love is the answer to the addict. Love is the answer to fractured relationships. Love is the answer to being offended. Love is the answer to heartbreak. Love is a weapon that can shatter division and rebuild what has been broken.What is happening in your life right now that tests you in the way you love? Did you ...  Read More

You Will Never Get Ahead Trying to Get EvenScripture:  Philippians 3:13-14When you have been wronged, a poor memory is your best response. A good forgettery is what all of us need.Have you ever noticed how a jeweler shows his best diamonds? He sets them against a black velvet backdrop. The contrast of the jewels against the dark background accentuates their luster.In the same way, God does His mos...  Read More

Maturing in ChristPursuing holiness through the process of sanctification means to grow in Christlikeness and to be found pleasing in His sight. Today, my appeal is simple: patiently pursue love. For the full ripening of fruit to come, it must be nurtured. This takes time, and Christ is patient toward us for He understands our weakness.When I first joined the church, the vow I made included a prom...  Read More

The Priority of LoveThe chief virtue of the Christian life is love. Paul tells us so in his writings to the Galatians. Love is the first fruit of the Spirit. In a sense, all the other fruit is simply an outward manifestation of the reality and the presence of authentic love. Our love for others grows out of a love for God.It’s impossible to love God with all your heart and to hate your neighbor (1...  Read More

Haggai 1:2-8"Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'This people says, "The time has not come, even the time for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt."'"  Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?"  Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, “"Consider your ways!  "You have sown much, but harve...  Read More

Doing the Right ThingHave you ever been frustrated because those in authority over you did not give you clear directions? Similarly, if it’s not clear what the Lord expects of us, we become confused, discouraged, disappointed, and, in many cases, paralyzed. This is the question we want to look today: What is it that God wants us to do? What does God expect from His children? The primary way we ful...  Read More

Doing the Right ThingHave you ever been frustrated because those in authority over you did not give you clear directions? Similarly, if it’s not clear what the Lord expects of us, we become confused, discouraged, disappointed, and, in many cases, paralyzed. This is the question we want to look today: What is it that God wants us to do? What does God expect from His children? The primary way we ful...  Read More

Overcoming the WorldWhen our souls prize the glory of God, we have the motivation we need to press on toward the goal of living holy lives. Let’s consider what it means to translate your dreams of spiritual growth into concrete patterns of behavior that God has designed to promote your spiritual progress.What practical, specific steps must we take in order to grow spiritually? First, we must embra...  Read More