“This is the reason why we never collapse . . . These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Phillips) “Why me?” If you’ve never asked that question, just wait. When life becomes really hard,... Continue Reading →

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT) Think about your typical week. How many times do you get caught up in feeling pressured by other people—by their lifestyles, their needs, the things they’re... Continue Reading →

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV) Everyone who is alive will be hurt, many times over. Sometimes you will be hurt intentionally. Other times... Continue Reading →

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NIV) In John 14:6, Jesus says that he is the way, the truth, and the life. Several chapters earlier, in John 8:32, he says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (NIV). For the next few... Continue Reading →

“Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” (Ephesians 5:2 The Message) I’ve been on this earth for a while... Continue Reading →

“Let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1 TLB) When you start to get concerned about something God is doing in another person’s life and envy starts to build, focus on the plan God has for you. Don’t get distracted — center in on God’s will for your life.There’s... Continue Reading →

“Friend, I didn’t cheat you. I paid you exactly what we agreed on. . . . What business is it of yours if I want to pay them the same that I paid you? Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money?” (Matthew 20:13-15 CEV) When it looks like... Continue Reading →

“Isn’t everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God? So what’s the point of all this comparing and competing? You already have all you need.” (1 Corinthians 4:7-8 The Message) Instead of focusing so much on what we don’t have and what didn’t happen, we can be grateful for what we do... Continue Reading →

“We must always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another” (Romans 14:19 GNT). Love is built on trust. When you really love people, you believe in them. You trust them. You build their confidence. You relieve their fears. And then your trust causes them to blossom.If you can’t learn to... Continue Reading →

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:6-8 NIV). One of my heroes was Dr. E.V. Hill, pastor of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. He was a tremendous man of God and an intellectual... Continue Reading →