Christian Living

White lies. Minor indiscretions. Misinformation. Fabrications. Distortion. Our culture has invented an entire vocabulary to blunt the stigma of deception. Sometimes we convince ourselves a little white lie will protect someone’s feelings. Other times, we even lie to ourselves. Instead of admitting our mistakes, we blame our environment, chemical imbalances, or … [Read more...] about Is It Ever Okay to Lie? Advice for Christians

When we talk about the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23 immediately springs to mind for most Christians. But did you know that the Old Testament talks about the concept of fruitfulness more than one hundred times? Or that 24 of the 27 books in the New Testament talk about what it means to be a fruit-bearing Christian? Anything important enough for God to mention over and … [Read more...] about What Is the Fruit of the Spirit and How Do I Grow It?

In a well-known study on delayed gratification, researchers invited young children to eat one marshmallow right away or wait for a few minutes to receive two marshmallows. After observing the results and tracking the children for many years, Stanford University researchers determined that the children who waited for two marshmallows grew up to be more mature, successful adults … [Read more...] about How to Wait on the Lord

Happiness is something everybody wants. The Declaration of Independence goes so far as to call it an “unalienable” right. But when we read, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4), it seems unrealistic—even burdensome. How can we possibly rejoice after a child dies, war breaks out, or broken relationships tear up our family? Paul, the … [Read more...] about Rejoice Always: Biblical Ideas About Happiness

When someone mentions the book of Revelation, what comes to mind? For many, the book conjures thoughts of the end of the world, the Antichrist, and complex symbolism. No doubt, Revelation is a deeply prophetic book that gives us the most comprehensive image of the Last Days anywhere in Scripture. Still, there is much more to it than apocalyptic imagery. Revelation is filled … [Read more...] about Revelation's 7 Promises to Every Believer

Our lives are fragile. The roof over our head may be gone tomorrow. The money in our savings account might disappear. Those dear to us in our immediate family circle may be absent in the near future. The fragility of life alone generates uncertainty and fear in some people. How can we keep feelings from twisting our view of God? There are five practical steps and two truths … [Read more...] about God Has Not Forgotten You

What does your speech say about you? James 3:1-12 outlines four hard truths about the power of our words: 1. God will hold us accountable for our words. 2. Our words create a disproportionate impact. 3. Our tongue is like a wild animal that can tear people apart. 4. Our words should be consistent with our Christian testimony. If your tongue has a habit of getting you into … [Read more...] about Your Words Matter: What the Bible Says About the Power of the Tongue

Scripture’s dominant theme is a simple one: God is the Divine Potter, and humanity is the clay. It is another way to express God’s sovereignty over all people; a way to express our need to yield to His divine plan; a way to encourage us to find the purpose for which we have been made; a way to accept the divine purpose for all of God’s handiwork. 3 Principles of a Life … [Read more...] about What It Means to Be Clay in the Hands of the Potter

The Bible offers us, as Christians, a detailed training plan for success in our relationship with God, our relationships with others, and our inner world. By implementing these habits with consistency and perseverance, we can look forward to long-term success—and the help of angels! 4 Habits for Your Walk With God 14 Habits for God-Honoring Relationships 7 Spiritual Habits for … [Read more...] about 25 Habits of Successful Christians

Check this list of often-overlooked spiritual disciplines that are essential for growth: 1. Do you spend time in solitude and meditation? 2. Do you make a habit of praying with others? 3. Do you routinely read your Bible and Christian literature? 4. Do you ever fast? 5. Do you spend time each day confessing and repenting of sin? In our Christian experience, we sometimes … [Read more...] about 5 Forgotten Habits for Spiritual Growth

Three Foundational Truths for Serving God Faithfully: 1. The Christian life includes privileges and responsibilities. 2. Even tragedies can serve God's purposes. 3. God has important work for each of us. At the height of its power, the Roman Empire stretched 2,650 miles from west to east and 2,000 miles from south to north. From Rome, the Empire reached north to the North … [Read more...] about How to Use Each Day for God

Have you ever felt stuck in life—like you weren’t sure what the next step was? Or maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed and burnt out from the twists and turns of life, wondering if this is really all you are made to do. All of us have felt that way at some time—but we were built for more! God has created each of us with a glorious purpose in mind. When we pursue a deeper … [Read more...] about 7 Spiritual Disciplines for a Rewarding Life

6 Red-Flag Warnings of Spiritual Distraction 1. Pressure to compromise 2. Feelings of burnout 3. A pattern of broken relationships 4. A tendency toward pride 5. Feelings of shame 6. Reluctance to change The relatively recent release of smartphones has provided new opportunities for us to be distracted, but the problem existed long before that. When the Israelites were … [Read more...] about 6 Signs That You're Distracted From God's Will

For many, 2020 has been a year of broken dreams. Some of us had plans for travel, vacation, and quality time with family and loved ones. Others of us had plans for our career, to push our business to the next level, or to take the next step in our education. And many of us had plans for ministry, to go on a mission’s trip, to speak at a conference, to participate more at … [Read more...] about Are My Dreams in Sync With God's Plan?

When Wayne was just six years old, his father built an ice rink in the family’s backyard in Ontario, Canada. Why? “It was for self-preservation,” his father, Walter, said. “I got sick of taking him to the park and sitting there for hours freezing to death.” All his son wanted to do was play ice hockey. He had been skating and playing hockey since the age of two, and by the time … [Read more...] about Is God’s Will Ever Fun? Find Passion in Your Purpose

According to the NCAA, only six percent of high school athletes are selected to play at the collegiate level, and fewer than two percent of those student-athletes go on to become professional athletes.1 The competition is fierce. Every detail of a team’s training and equipment can make the difference between success and failure. In the world of sports, sponsorships play a … [Read more...] about Confidence, Joy, and Victory: Claim Your Identity in Christ

Throughout the ages, God’s Word has been a source of hope in troubled times. Today the coronavirus is creating chaos on a global scale; its reach is unprecedented in our lifetime. Yet God’s Word remains steady, constant, and true. Like the North Star, it directs our gaze upward, and it will guide us through these dark days if we keep it in our sight. 31 Hope-Filled … [Read more...] about 31 Encouraging Bible Verses PLUS 15 Meaningful Choices You Can Make Today

The headlines seem to be growing more frightening by the day, as we awake to news of additional outbreaks of the deadly coronavirus around the world. The death toll is rising, and the list of countries it has plagued is expanding—not to mention the devastating impact it’s having on economies big and small. Many are in quarantine, in their homes, at hospitals, on cruise … [Read more...] about A Christian’s Response to the Coronavirus

I want to begin by asking you a question: Why are you here?  I’m not asking why you live in a certain area or how you found my blog. What I’m asking is, Why has God placed you on this earth? The process of developing a vision for your life begins by answering this fundamental question. It’s very difficult to live a meaningful life without a sense of purpose, a dream … [Read more...] about Why Are You Here? Discover Your God-Given Purpose

The Lord wants you to study Him. Is the word study a scary concept in your life? You’re not alone. I hear it often: “I did enough studying when I was in school,” or “I hated school, and I still have nightmares about taking tests,” or “Well, that counts me out. I never could concentrate on anything.” The Soul of Discipleship To all these concerns and more, my answer … [Read more...] about What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?

Put simply, godliness is living a fruitful, obedient Christian life. It is one of seven qualities we are instructed to add to our faith after we become Christians. There are sixteen references to godliness in Scripture. All of them are in the New Testament, and most of them occur in 1 Timothy and 2 Peter. Let’s examine what it is, what it’s not, its prerequisites, its barriers, … [Read more...] about What Is Godliness?

When you think about climbing a mountain, what comes to mind? Do you envision breathtaking vistas from the mountaintop or breathless wheezing along the way? As different as they are, both perspectives capture aspects of the same journey. Reaching the summit requires grit and determination. Spiritual growth is no different. It demands perseverance, but the view from the top is … [Read more...] about 7 Steps to a Closer Walk With God

“I pray and talk to God, but I must be doing something wrong. I can’t seem to make wise decisions, and I have trouble knowing what God wants me to do in various situations.” Can you relate to this thought process? We can find ourselves stuck in holding patterns because we can’t decide what to do. I am reminded of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s comment … [Read more...] about 5 Principles for Biblical Decision Making

The husbands and wives who committed themselves to founding the fledgling republic that became the United States of America sacrificed dearly for their cause— particularly the leaders of the first Continental Congress. John Adams, for one, endured long months of separation from his wife and children. Massachusetts was their home, but the demands of statehood kept him in … [Read more...] about Love Letters from God

There's more to revolutions than meets the eye. Journalist Barbara von der Heydt, a television correspondent in Germany in 1991, reported on the peaceful revolution that undermined the Soviet Union. As she interviewed people throughout Russia and Eastern Europe, she came to a startling conclusion. The most overlooked part of the story, she realized, was the nature of the … [Read more...] about How to Change Your Life From the Inside Out

Minnesota is famously known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and the staggering beauty of Minnesota’s vast northern terrain thrills visitors. But all that beauty comes with danger. Reverend S. B. Shaw tells of a farmer who lived on the edge of one of those lakes. One evening after sunset he was on the water when a sudden gust capsized his sailboat. The man tried to swim for shore; … [Read more...] about Practical Encouragement for Proclaiming God’s Word

If you like “The Amazing Race” or “Survivor,” you might be interested to know that so-called reality TV had its beginnings in old black-and-white programs like “Candid Camera.” These were unscripted shows with hidden cameras and microphones designed to show people reacting to practical jokes. One episode showed a new secretary at a desk with drawers that kept popping open. … [Read more...] about The Surprising Secret to Genuine Joy

On March 16, 2012 (I’m withholding names and places to protect the already embarrassed and guilty parties!), a boyfriend (age 24) and girlfriend (17) sped out of the downtown area where they lived. They were in separate cars, driving at a high rate of speed, and weaving in and out of traffic—obviously chasing, or trying to elude, one another. The young woman had a male … [Read more...] about The Difference Between Righteous and Sinful Anger