The way kids select sporting teams during school recess is a microcosm of how the world works. The two best athletes are identified as captains and then begins the process of elimination. One-by-one the best athletes are chosen as the others pray they are not chosen last. This process mirrors the modus operandi of the world’s system. In the world, people are selected based on their abilities, influence and prestige. Thankfully, God does not operate like the world and does... Read more
We all want God’s best for our lives. You might be seeking a promotion, praying for a spouse, or even desiring more influence in the ministry. There’s nothing wrong with wanting God’s best. However, you must realize that nothing of eternal significance comes without a price. God will allow the devil to bring tests into your life to “prove by fire” that your faith is genuine. The testing is designed to bring you into greater maturity by revealing your motives,... Read more
Every believer represents a living masterpiece that has been carefully put together to accomplish a specific purpose. In the same way that a master artist takes great care in selecting the right canvas for a painting, God takes great care in selecting each believer for a specific assignment. As a result, there is nothing about our lives that happens outside of His sovereignty. Like the master artist, every stroke of the brush and color variance has been intricately applied to... Read more
Anthropology shows that most people around the world believe in the existence of God. However, the belief that God exists does not answer the most important questions about life. Why we were created, how are we are supposed to live and what happens after we die? People throughout history have tried to answer these questions, but their efforts have resulted in numerous contradictory theories. The truth is that nobody can figure out what God is thinking unless He speaks to... Read more
Jesus said that it’s exceedingly difficult for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of God. It was believed at the time that great wealth was a symbol of God’s special favor on a person. Therefore, the disciples were astonished at the weight of the moment. If entering heaven was difficult for a wealthy person, who was believed to have special favor with God, what did that mean for everyone else? “Who then can be saved,” the disciples asked? Jesus... Read more
As Netflix was changing the way people rent movies, Blockbuster Video did not adapt its business model. There was a time when the brick-and-mortar solution was the best option to rent movies. However, the company’s failure to recognize how the industry was changing eventually put them out of business. Blockbuster Video lost its dominant position in the marketplace and slowly faded away, becoming obsolete. In the same way, believers are no longer under the drudgery of the rules-based system. We... Read more
There was a time the rules-based system (law) was how the Israelite people related to God. The people were blessed if they obeyed the commands of the LORD and cursed if they disobeyed. This resulted in a vicious cycle of disobedience, repentance and re-commitment to the LORD. The rules-based system was extremely tedious and clearly did not produce righteous living. Thankfully, today we have received a superior covenant with far better promises. We are new creations designed to walk by... Read more
God’s people should not live in a constant state of financial crisis. We can develop a prosperous lifestyle that sustains over time. As the psalmist so eloquently wrote, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread” (Psalm 37:25). If you have not yet created a lifestyle that generates sustainable wealth, perhaps it’s time to follow God’s design for living a prosperous life? Moses reminded the people... Read more
Many believers have their theology backwards. Instead of learning how to receive God’s love, they spend their energy trying to love God better. Let’s be clear. The message of the gospel has always been God’s love for humanity (not the other way around). If we focus on achieving love rather than receiving love, we have the gospel backwards. Despite his flaws, Peter was the type of guy you would want in your corner during a street fight. When Jesus was... Read more
Are you tired of rules-based, ineffective and judgemental religion? Too many believers have a desire to live victoriously but operate from human strength. I explain in the book The Art of Marketing Jesus how God provided a new way to live on this side of the cross. If you are feeling empty and mentally exhausted, discover God’s design for living the supernatural life. Divine Process for Living the Supernatural Life Successful companies create systems and processes that generate predictable results.... Read more
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