There’s a time to be a leader, and there’s a time not to be a leader.

He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.] – John 3:30, Amplified Bible (AMP) Sometimes, you just have to step aside for the good of the team. There are few things more sad in the sporting world than seeing a once-dominant player stay in the game… Continue reading There’s a time to be a leader, and there’s a time not to be a leader.

God would like you to stare at a metal plate for over a year.

For I have laid upon you the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, 390 days [representing 390 years]; so you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. – Ezekiel 4:5, Amplified Bible (AMP) Our service to God is not guaranteed to be joyful, rewarding, or pleasant. Many times… Continue reading God would like you to stare at a metal plate for over a year.

God would be more than happy to visit with you, but you’ve got to clean your house first.

For thus says the high and lofty One—He Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, but with him also who is of a thoroughly penitent and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the thoroughly penitent [bruised with sorrow… Continue reading God would be more than happy to visit with you, but you’ve got to clean your house first.

How would you like to be cursed by God?

Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. – Jeremiah 17:5, Amplified Bible If you were to wake up tomorrow morning and wonder, “How could I make God curse me today?”, what do you think the answer would be?… Continue reading How would you like to be cursed by God?

The wilderness has its benefits.

Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil. – Matthew 4:1, Amplified Bible (AMP) The idea of “wandering in the wilderness” doesn’t gin up happy thoughts. Instead, it usually produces thoughts of pain, anguish, and despair. It was in the wilderness… Continue reading The wilderness has its benefits.

Hey, take a minute to pick up your brother’s or sister’s backpack.

Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it]. – Galatians 6:2, Amplified Bible (AMP) In my younger years I was extremely judgmental. I had an arrogant, pious attitude towards… Continue reading Hey, take a minute to pick up your brother’s or sister’s backpack.

How do you see people?

Kish had a son named Saul, a choice young man and handsome; among all the Israelites there was not a man more handsome than he. He was a head taller than any of the people. – 1 Samuel 9:2, Amplified Bible Some years ago, a middle-aged man visited a car dealership in Greenville, SC. When… Continue reading How do you see people?

Be content with how God made you.

…be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]… – Hebrews 13:5, Amplified Bible When preachers preach on Hebrews 13:5, they usually focus on being content with the material possessions and circumstances that God has given us. Of course, Hebrews 13:5 absolutely teaches us this lesson, but it also teaches us another lesson… Continue reading Be content with how God made you.

How many times does God have to tell you. You are better off living life His way.

Woe to the rebellious children, says the Lord, who take counsel and carry out a plan, but not Mine… – Isaiah 30:1, Amplified Bible (AMP) My Scofield Reference Bible has 1,353 pages. Those pages contain a ton of information, life stories, and words of wisdom. But the more I read those pages, the more I understand that… Continue reading How many times does God have to tell you. You are better off living life His way.

I’ll bet you didn’t know that love is the key to great decision making.

And this I pray: that your love may abound… So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital… and of real value… – Philippians 1:9-10, Amplified Bible (AMP) To make good decisions, we need discernment. “Discernment” is defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as “the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure.”  The word “obscure” means: 1 : shrouded in… Continue reading I’ll bet you didn’t know that love is the key to great decision making.