God uses people who are sensitive. “When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and […]
God uses people who are broken. “But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’” Acts 9:15-16 (NIV) God specializes in using broken […]
God uses people who are compassionate. “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and […]
God uses people who are selfless. “Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’” John 6:8-9 (NIV) The first question people ask during times of transition is, “How will this affect me?” If […]
God uses people who are intentional. “The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will […]
God uses people who are available. “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.” Luke 1:38 (NIV) Why did God choose Mary to give birth to the Son of God? In His perfect wisdom, God chose Mary because He knew she would willingly make herself […]
You are commanded. “‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’” Acts 1:8 (NIV) Have you ever witnessed a wedding ceremony? As a pastor, I usually conduct the wedding ceremony, but […]
You are commissioned. “‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matt 28:19-20 (NIV) […]
You are called. “‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’” Mark 1:17 (NIV) There’s no place like being in the center of God’s will. Living outside of God’s will is like trying to sprint with ankle weights on. When you live each day in the center of God’s will, there is tremendous […]
God is for us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV) Travel down memory lane with me for a moment. Think about your Christmas experiences as a child. What do you remember as […]
God is like us. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” John 1:1-2 (NIV) Do you see it? God became like us so that we could become like Him. The miracle of Christmas is that God became like […]
God is with us. “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ –which means, ‘God with us.’” Matt 1:22-23 (NIV) Whenever you go through a difficult experience, having someone with you […]
There is one reason for this season. “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give […]
Because He is the vine, I am fruitful. “‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.’” John 15:5 (NIV) God will never ask you to do anything without equipping you to do it. […]
Because He is the way, the truth, and the life, I am informed. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6 (NIV) Often I have heard people insert their belief that “we are all trying to get to the same place, […]
Because He is the resurrection and the life, I am invited. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” John 11:25-26 (NIV) You are born, you live, […]
Because He is the Good Shepherd, I am valued. “‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.’” John 10:11 (NIV) Your value is not determined by your portfolio. Your value is not determined by your performance. Your value is not determined by your personality. Your value is determined […]
Because He is the gate, I am secure. “Therefore Jesus said again, ‘I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.’” John 10:7 (NIV) My security in Christ is not based on my feelings. There are days when my emotional security may be threatened. There are days when I just don’t feel […]
Because He is the light of the world, I am illuminated. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 (NIV) Everything changed on March 28, 1979, when I received God’s […]
Because He is the bread of life, I am nourished. “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.’” John 6:35 (NIV) Jesus had fed the multitudes with a boy’s lunch consisting of two small fish […]
Stand your ground. You don’t have to be a victim of spiritual warfare; you can be victorious in spiritual warfare. You don’t have to be a victim of the devil’s schemes; you can be victorious in spite of his schemes. “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against […]
Put on your gear. God has provided you with everything you need to engage in the spiritual battle. You must appropriate what God has provided. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Eph […]
Stay close to Jesus. You can live out your positional victory in Christ through practical steps. Step one is to stay close to your commander, Jesus. He is source of life and He alone is your source of victory. Jesus reigns! Does He reign in your life? “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions […]
The devil is already defeated. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 (NIV) Jesus lives in you. You are greater than the devil. He has nothing on you. You are a child […]
The devil always opposes. The devil opposes God and anything of God. Since the devil can’t attack God, he seeks to attack that which is closest to God’s heart, you! The devil attacks God’s children. The devil is the enemy! “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they […]
The devil actually exists. A passenger on the plane noticed a pastor sitting next to him reading the Bible. The passenger quizzed the pastor about his belief in the Bible. The pastor let the passenger know that he indeed believed every word of the Bible. The passenger frustratingly asked about the pastor’s belief in Jonah actually being […]
Turn your work into an act of worship. Don’t worship your work! Let your work be an act of worship. You have a choice. You can treat worship as a noun or a verb. As a noun, worship becomes something you go to on Sunday mornings in a building incorrectly referred to as the church. […]
Turn your workplace into a mission field. From age 18 to 65, if you work 40 hours per week, you will work at total of about 94,000 hours. Wow! Think about that for a moment. You will spend a major portion of your life at work. What will you do with the 94,000 hours? That’s a lot of […]
Turn your career into a calling. What does God want to accomplish through you right where you are? It’s not about you. It’s really not about your career. It is all about God being at work in you and through you to accomplish His agenda. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to […]
Leadership is influence with integrity. Everyone is a leader at some level. Everyone has a God-given sphere of influence. You may not fully comprehend the parameters of your sphere, but God has placed you on this planet to be an irresistible influence for His Glory. “And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do […]