When a teacher asked the class to make a list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, one little girl wrote these seven wonders: Seeing, Hearing, Tasting, Touching, Running, Laughing, Loving. How often do we forget to enjoy the simple gifts of life? A bed to sleep in. A place to live. Food to…

People look at the future in three different ways. Some say everything will stay the same. This view states that everything has always been much the same as it is now. Reincarnation probably fits this view. Life doesn’t actually have an end, but just goes on and on in an endless loop. Others say that…

Expectancy characterizes our spiritual journey. Abraham expected God to fulfill his promise to bless him and all peoples on earth through him (Genesis 12:1-3). When God tested him in offering Isaac as a sacrifice, Abraham held on to God’s promise, even expecting God to raise Isaac from the dead if necessary (Hebrews 11:17-19). David, in…

The Christian life is a seeking life. As God’s people seek after God, they are energized, permeated, and controlled by God’s Spirit. The apostle Paul commands us to be continuously “filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). When we think of the word “filled”, we might think merely of filling an empty container. Yet the intended…

“But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that” (1 Corinthians 7:7). These spiritual gifts are above and beyond our natural abilities or the exercise of grace gifts that all Christians exercise, such as, faith or wisdom. Many Christ followers don’t seem to be aware that these…

John D. Rockefeller made this observation: “Singleness of purpose is one of the chief essentials for success in life, no matter what may be one’s aim.” Regarding Olympic athletes, Beth Daley added: “How fast someone runs, swims or rows; how high or long they jump; how accurately they hit a target; how well they balance;…

Our obedience to God flows out of our relationship with God. As Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). We learn what God wants through his Word. The Holy Spirit makes it clear to us. We resolve to do it. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves….

When we confess our sins to God and ask him to forgive us, two wonderful things happen. First, “He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9). Second, God remembers our sins “no more”! (Hebrews 8:12). However, it’s hard to be clear about who we are in Christ when we’re…

“Full participation in the life of God’s Kingdom and in the vivid companionship of Christ comes to us only through appropriate exercise in the disciplines for life in the spirit.” ~ Dallas Willard How do we do this? The Christian journey is by faith and our faith grows deeper as we practice spiritual disciplines. Incorporate…

Imagine that you’re driving north on the highway, and realize you should be going south. You need to turn yourself around and get on the right road. That’s what repentance looks like. “You don’t repent by taking a deep breath and then feel better. You only repent when you turn around and go back or…