A Believer’s Highest Honor!

“Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.” (Ephesians 6:7-8 NLT) Service for the Lord comes in all shapes, sizes, and levels of difficulty. For some, servingContinue reading “A Believer’s Highest Honor!”

How Vital Is Prayer for You?

“So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, ‘We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostlesContinue reading “How Vital Is Prayer for You?”

To Serve or Be Served?

“’Get out of here, Satan,’ Jesus told him. ‘For the Scriptures say, “You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.”’” (Matthew 4:10 NLT) Serving God takes many forms and can at times create a very thin line between serving and being served. There are three words in Greek that can be translatedContinue reading “To Serve or Be Served?”

Seeing Ourselves with Sober Judgment

“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given you.” (Romans 12:3 NLT) Have you ever worked so hard or run so longContinue reading “Seeing Ourselves with Sober Judgment”

Are You Equipped? (Part 2)

“In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift isContinue reading “Are You Equipped? (Part 2)”

Gratitude

“Then Elisha summoned Gehazi. ‘Call the child’s mother!’ he said. And when she came in, Elisha said, ‘Here, take your son!” She fell at his feet and bowed before him, overwhelmed with gratitude. Then she took her son in her arms and carried him downstairs.” (2 Kings 4:36-37 NLT) While pastoring I met a manContinue reading “Gratitude”

Do You Know Who You Are?

“Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything and that He had come from God and would return to God.” (John 13:3 NLT) The setting for the above verse is the upper room where Jesus and His 12 disciples had their last Passover celebration before Jesus would be betrayed and murdered. It’sContinue reading “Do You Know Who You Are?”

Faithfulness Leads to Fruitfulness

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NLT) As I look back over my life, I can very often gauge the fruitfulness of my life by my faithfulness. In otherContinue reading “Faithfulness Leads to Fruitfulness”

Worship

“Jesus replied, ‘The Scriptures say, “You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.”’” (Luke 4:8 NLT) Having pastored for many years, I love listening to a good sermon. Yep, you heard correctly, I don’t enjoy listening to a bad sermon. What do I consider a “bad” sermon? Primarily, a sermon not basedContinue reading “Worship”

Are You Entitled?

“Arise, O judge of the earth. Give the proud what they deserve.” (Psalm 94:2 NLT) In our weaker moments we’re tempted to believe God has been unfair in giving us the “hand” we’ve been dealt. That’s usually when we begin the “blame game” or the “what about them” rant. I’ve been there and it hurtsContinue reading “Are You Entitled?”