You’re not alone. Even Paul despaired.

…we were so utterly and unbearably weighed down and crushed that we despaired even of life [itself]. – 2 Corinthians 1:8, AMP It is very easy to look at pastors, missionaries, and others who have given themselves to a career in ministry as some sort of superheroes. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound,… Continue reading You’re not alone. Even Paul despaired.

When running the race, be intense, aggressive, and don’t hold back.

So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours. – 1 Corinthians 9:24, AMP As I watched my daughter’s soccer game today, I noticed a trend among many of the 8-year olds scattered around the field. All of them were aggressive in defending their goal from the attack… Continue reading When running the race, be intense, aggressive, and don’t hold back.

Success or failure in following God boils down to one thing.

Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent…  – John 6:29, AMP I’m an 80/20 Principle kind of guy, and the reason I am is because I am just not talented enough to juggle more than two or three things at… Continue reading Success or failure in following God boils down to one thing.

Which shepherd are YOU going to follow?

When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd. – Matthew 9:36, AMP In July 2005, the following story hit news outlets around the world: 450 sheep leapt to their deaths in the Turkish… Continue reading Which shepherd are YOU going to follow?

No, I’m afraid God didn’t swoon.

But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came (flowed) out. – John 19:34, AMP Opponents of Christ have come up with many arguments over the centuries to explain away the resurrection. My favorite one is the Swoon Theory. The Swoon Theory suggests that Christ didn’t really… Continue reading No, I’m afraid God didn’t swoon.

God rose from the dead, and He can prove it.

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection… – Philippians 3:10, KJV There is tremendous power in the resurrection of Christ.  As a matter of fact, the resurrection is so powerful that the entire Christian faith rests on its shoulders. If Christ rose from the dead, then He must be God, and… Continue reading God rose from the dead, and He can prove it.

The wicked are always on the attack to destroy righteousness.

All day long they twist my words and trouble my affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil and my hurt. – Psalm 56:5, AMP Life is full of adversity and persecution. Although many times the challenges we face are the result of our sin, many other times they are the result of our doing what is right… Continue reading The wicked are always on the attack to destroy righteousness.

You are going to lose, and it’s going to hurt when you do.

And being in an agony [of mind], He prayed [all the] more earnestly and intently, and His sweat became like great clots of blood dropping down upon the ground. – Luke 22:44, AMP You are going to lose, and that’s a fact of life. Your losses will come in many forms, but the losses that… Continue reading You are going to lose, and it’s going to hurt when you do.

Trying to buy your way to Heaven is like trying to make 10 million pairs of socks with your own two hands.

7 None of them can by any means redeem [either himself or] his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—8 For the ransom of a life is too costly, and [the price one can pay] can never suffice—9 So that he should live on forever and never see the pit (the grave) and corruption. – Psalm 47:7-9, AMP Imagine for… Continue reading Trying to buy your way to Heaven is like trying to make 10 million pairs of socks with your own two hands.

God would like you to follow Andrew’s example.

What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. – Philippians 1:18, KJV We had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Bob Jones, III, Chancellor of Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, speak at our church recently. He preached on Philippians chapter… Continue reading God would like you to follow Andrew’s example.