“Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life—they don’t know God” (1 Timothy 6:21 TLB). The key to a friendship with God is deciding whose friendship you want most.You don’t have time for everybody to be your friend. You’ve got to decide who you want most to be your best friend. The... Continue Reading →

“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 →