God wants us to be thankful for our enemies? C’mon, man. Really? Yes, it’s true. After all, if nobody ever wronged us, the opportunity to reflect God’s character and grace would pass right by us.    In this way, our enemy’s hurtful actions are a blessing because they move us closer to Jesus.    Being thankful for those who wrong us begins with one of God’s foundational truths ....

There are two rules that create a significant fork in the road our faith journey takes in life. We either move toward the light or descend into the dark: #1: The “Golden Rule” says: Treat others as you want to be treated.    #2: The evil one has his own rule that’s no so golden: Treat others as they have treated you.    God’s fork is crystal clear:    “Don’t say...

   The headline above–“Fear God? I Thought I Was Supposed To Love God”–is a verbatim thought that circulated through my mind just after accepting Christ as a 22-year old college student.     The notion of “fearing God” has always been, and still is now, one of the most misunderstood parts of walking with Christ.    But here’s the bottom line...

God’s tower is my new fort because it provides safety when the turbulence of life starts to spin out of control. And that tower of refuge is always open! It cannot be breached and there is no other place of safety anywhere. It’s just like cities in the days of the early church which were fortified with towers housing watchmen who guarded the people inside. And that is exactly what God is to us today...

When we commit our work to the Lord, we offer every part of our life to him so he can “establish and approve” our plans on his rock-firm foundation. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV    The first part—COMMITTING—is on us. The other part—ESTABLISHING (“cause to happen”)—is for God.    We must do part one if...

Wisdom can be found—and lives forever–between the covers of a Bible. But there isn’t anything about it that is even remotely automatic. In fact, it’s the opposite. We learn in Proverbs that wisdom comes to us when we park by God’s door every day. “Those who listen to me will be happy—those who stay at my door every day, waiting at the entrance to my home.” Proverbs 8:34 GNT    What...

I was cruising along this morning on my month-long jaunt through the book of Proverbs when God tossed this truth my way: “A sensible person gathers the crops when they are ready; it is a disgrace to sleep through the time of harvest.” Proverbs 10:5 (GNT)    That verse arrived at my door in the context of OPPORTUNITY…a wonderful opportunity for every believer to harvest souls for God’s Kingdom.    But...

God’s wisdom is a take-it-or-leave-it offer. Refusing to accept delivery will trigger negative consequences.  “I have been calling you, inviting you to come, but you would not listen. You paid no attention to me. You have ignored all my advice and have not been willing to let me correct you.” Proverbs 1:24-25     God offered Adam and Eve truth and eternal life but they did not...

It was early in my faith walk and I had no idea that God had a complete picture of my heart. That he saw every sin as it was birthed in my pumping power plant. And that the world saw my character through the words that had just passed through the headquarters of my life.  God taught me later that there are no pretend hearts and it is our true heart that lays down the path we travel and determines...

People have always compared themselves to others, but today’s internet-addicted society has taken the practice to a staggeringly dangerous level. Believers are in a vulnerable position like everyone else, of course. We can easily be tripped up and fall into the comparison trap by thinking “I am already wise” and superior to others.    God says STOP!    “Don’t be impressed...