When rules and regulations replace the source of our faith, we begin to strain out gnats and swallow camels. We become so focused on following and upholding the rules that we lose sight of what it means to have a meaningful relationship with our Savior....

The words instruction, testimony, precepts, command, fear, and ordinances in the above verses are all about God’s Word. His Word is perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, pure, reliable, and righteous. His Word renews our life, makes us wise, makes our hearts glad, and our eyes light up. God’s Words are more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey. There is a great reward for each of us when we ...

The early church had a common aim that they were pursuing over everything and in everything they did—they were living to know Jesus and make Him known....

As a Christian, you are to raise your child to love Jesus and love like Jesus did....

Just as the runner trains to excel, your consistency in prayer shapes your spirit, strengthens your faith, and brings you closer to the heart of Jesus. These endeavors require dedication, self-reflection, perseverance, and the willingness to go beyond your comfort zone to reach your full potential. How can you push yourself out of your comfort zone to strengthen your prayer life?...

Persistence is a difficult thing to learn. It goes right alongside patience. Anyone who has children knows how hard those lessons are. It is an internal battle. We don’t want to be patient; we want our answers now. We want to be in control, even if it’s just the timing, but we don’t even control that! So, that leaves us needing to be persistent in prayer and trusting in God’s timing....

The primary purpose of the church is to be on a mission to seek those who are lost and lead them to salvation that is found by faith in Christ alone. When we lose sight of that and become an inward-facing group that meets together to listen and discuss everyone else’s need for Jesus, we become more like the Pharisees than the Son of Man, Jesus. ...

Jesus alludes to the fact that some unbelievers work harder to prepare for their temporary futures than believers work to prepare for our eternal futures....

Possessions can bring us joy, but the happiness is short-lived compared to the joy that having a relationship with God can bring. I think in life it is a human desire to always want to have more, whether it be a bigger house, a better car, or the newest technology. The problem doesn’t necessarily stem from having all of these things, but the problem is how we value them and if we put them before G...

He has called all of us to serve others because He served us. Every day is an opportunity for us to live like the Samaritan....

Their actions were an outward sign of their true nature. The sheep were loving, caring, and serving one another, especially fellow brethren; however, there were no deeds of Christ-like behavior from the goats. One group displayed evidence of the presence of Christ within them; the other group did not. This fact should prompt us to ask ourselves: does the fruit of my life reveal Christ? ...

Perhaps, you aren’t using all of the gifts God has given you to make a living. Maybe you have much more that comes naturally to you; you can strike up a conversation easily with anyone and make them feel welcome, you are empathetic and a good listener, you thrive in the chaos that groups of children can bring, you enjoy organizing and creating systems, or maybe you can troubleshoot computer issues...

As you live out each day, are you prepared? Have you decided to purposefully love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? ...

God is inviting you to the wedding feast of all wedding feasts–to be in a relationship with Him for all eternity. What is your response?...

Just like a property disclosure reveals details about a structure's condition, God's Word is a mirror that reveals details about our weaknesses, sins, and other areas of our lives that we need to change....

A relationship with God isn’t meant to be easy. Easy things are often undervalued and discarded. We need to put in the effort to get to know God. Cultivate the soil, so to speak, so that a strong relationship grows....

Ask God for a Christ-centered friendship. Look for opportunities to be that friend to someone else—you may be just the person they have been praying for....

When you know and recognize you are forgiven from your sin, you are set free to forgive those who have wronged you. You understand that no harm anyone can do to you compares to the offense of your sin against God. And you have a newfound appreciation as the recipient of the seemingly reckless grace of God for what it feels like to be on the other side of the equation. ...

When we celebrate the victories of others and grieve with those experiencing sorrow, we show them the love of Christ....

If you are in the midst of conflict, maybe God is asking you to be a peacemaker. When you pray for resolution or open eyes, God might not send another person to resolve the conflict. He might be calling you to be that peacemaker. ...