We live in a world that is careening away from anything and everything HOLY. A world with an unhealthy focus on self that is antithetical to being HOLY. A world that plots at every turn against a Christian’s desire to be HOLY in God’s eyes. Yes, living a holy life in Christ is one tough job. But it is worth forging ahead toward sanctification, anyway. That was the aspirational goal Paul gave the Thessalonians…    “May...

I couldn’t keep quiet early in my faith walk. I’m not talking about talking too much. My ENTIRE LIFE wasn’t quiet when I was a CEO chasing success and all its trappings. That’s why I struggled to understand this from Paul: “Make it your aim to live a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to earn your own living, just as we told you before.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11 GNT    But eventually...

I have worked out a lot in my life for football, hockey, and triathlons. But even though I have been following Christ for over 40 years, I only started to “work out” my faith in the last 10 years after God used this from the Apostle Paul to get my attention: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation...

Yesterday was a very bad day for me. A painful day. A crushing day, really. It was one of those days where it hurts both in the moment and also in how it will change the direction of days to come. But it’s also one of those days all believers must expect will periodically crash our beach behind a surging swell.    And dare I say it’s one of those days we should relish as an opportunity...

The motivation behind my faith walk was all wrong until I ditched the “perfection chase” and embraced this powerful claim by the Apostle Paul:  “I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself.” Philippians 3:12 GNT    Paul is making it crystal clear that his life is a...

It is not wrong to want people to like us, right? Of course not. But it is wrong when we care too much about what people think of us. This is a very common trap for Christians, but God says fearing man by seeking approval and avoiding rejection is WRONG.    “It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the LORD, you are safe.” Proverbs 29:25 GNT    Defining...

One thing has become crystal clear from the time I have spent hanging out with farmers –they are experts at waiting. Heck, in most case it takes several years before a newly-planted crop produces its first bounty. Farmers have learned how to wait patiently–which is not an occasional thing, it’s an everyday thing. And when a crippling act of nature sidelines their harvest for a few years, waiting...

Early in my faith walk I struggled to figure out God’s “Faith-And-Works” Connection. Struggled to find clarity and balance. Struggled to reconcile being saved for Eternity and whether or not that meant I needed to serve others.    Then God cleared it up by teaching me that faith and works cannot be separated. That once we make a commitment to grow in Christ after being saved by faith, good...

Not only does God call us to stop talking long enough to listen and accept his Word in our heart, he wants us to put it into action. Merely nodding our heads at God’s Word is not enough—we need to do what it tells us to do. We need to figure out which way God wants us to go, and then actually go that way.    “Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it...

Early in my faith walk I had no time to even think about others let alone speak up for them. I was too busy thinking about myself and sticking up for me in the dog-eat-dog race to succeed, acquire, and seek pleasure. Thinking about standing up for the poor and oppressed wasn’t even a possibility because it never flashed across my radar screen. How could I stand up for someone else when I only thought...