“Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises” (Psalm 25:14 TLB). If you want to build a deep relationship with God, you have to slow down and be quiet.Friendship with God is like any other friendship—you have to make time for it. If you... Continue Reading →

The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life” (Galatians 6:7-8 The Message). Selfishness... Continue Reading →

“We must bear the ‘burden’ of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others” (Romans 15:2b TLB). Listening is probably the most important skill in building friendships and relationships, because you can’t love people without listening to them.There’s a big difference between hearing and listening. You can hear something and not really be listening. I... Continue Reading →

“But if we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other. Then the blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses us from every sin. If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:7-8 NCV). In Christian... Continue Reading →

“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them . . . There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:16, 18 NIV). Setbacks will come your way. You can’t avoid them. You may lose a job, a relationship, or your health. And when you... Continue Reading →

“One person dies in full vigor, completely secure and at ease . . . Another dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good” (Job 21:23, 25 NIV). God will place opportunities in front of you, doors only you can open. But you can’t step through them if you harbor unforgiveness. Unforgiveness is a prison.... Continue Reading →

I have gained perfect freedom by following your teachings” (Psalm 119:45 CEV). I know lots of people who like to pretend.I’m not talking about children who play make-believe. I’m talking about adults who try to pretend they’re somebody else to get the approval of others. Maybe that’s you. Maybe you’ve been pretending for so long that... Continue Reading →

“Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose” (Acts 16:26 NIV). Sometimes we need God to shake up our lives.It’s particularly true when we find ourselves locked up in prisons of our own making, like a... Continue Reading →

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free” (Galatians 5:13 NIV). God wants you to live in freedom. Let that sink in for a bit.In fact, the Bible says, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free”(Galatians 5:13 NIV). Freedom is your calling. God doesn’t want you to live a buttoned-down, constrained life.... Continue Reading →