Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy (Ps. 126:5). Ecclesiastes 3 begins with the subject of time and seasons. Timing may not be everything, but it is vital in living a life that matters. Verse 6 of that chapter admonishes the reader that there is a time to keep and a time to throw away. The wise person knows the difference between treasure and trash, what to hold to and what to leave behind. The houses we live in accumulate dust in the crevices and crannies o

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised”(Heb. 10:35-36). Feelings move us. Unfortunately, they often rule us. When our emotions dictate our actions we lose “the fight of faith” we are destined to win. When your feelings tell you “It’s just to hard” take one more punch. Patient endurance ensu

Let none of you suffer as… a busybody in other men's matters (1 Pet. 4:15). Is knowing everybody’s business one of your guilty pleasures in life? Do you have an irresistible urge to ask questions of people that are of no real concern to you? Do you take it on yourself to give people unwanted advice? Do you gain satisfaction by involving yourself in other people’s problems? Does it thrill you to reveal the personal dramas being played out in your community? You could be a bus

“Come, let’s meet together in the… Ono Valley.” But they were planning to harm me. So I sent messengers… saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you (Neh. 6:2-3)? Nehemiah, a cupbearer for the king in the palace in Shushan had an assignment from the Lord. The walls around Jerusalem that once protected the city were in ruins. God sent him to rebuild those walls. Nehemiah pressed through much sorrow and t

For the joy set before him he endured the cross... Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Heb. 12:2-3) Want more joy in your life? You’ll find it in sacrifice. But before we go further make sure you know the difference between sacrifice and being a victim. Do you know someone who overextends himself or herself for their spouse, adult children, work, or church? Anyone who needs to be needed to gain self-acceptan