How many hobbies did you have growing up? Were you one of those kids that found one thing that they loved and did that into adulthood? Or were you the one that had a new hobby each week. Every new week brought with it a new passionate exploration into a new endeavor. For the first few days, you burned brightly. Excited by the new task. Researching. Buying all the supplies you might need and jumping into it feet first. However, by the end of the week, your fast flame for the new hobby died to a flicker. And so the end of the week closed the chapter on a promising new hobby only to make way for the next impassioned project. For many of us, that sums up about childhood, adolescence, and even some of us in adulthood. Constantly on the move to find the next passion project because we lost the passion for what we started. It goes much farther than hobbies. In this day and age we’ve treated our careers, social circles, and even the church this way. Our need for constant entertainment and peaked interest is at an all time high while devotion to one thing seems to be at an all time low.

While we can’t force people to be devoted, it may be that we have made it too easy for them not to be. By trying to keep everyone interested and excited, we’ve created a cheap substitute for devotion. Rather than busying themselves with countless endeavors, the early followers devoted themselves to a few. And it changed the world. It seems like the Church of America is constantly looking for the next new thing (Francis Chan, Letters to the Church). Perhaps it's time to return the passion of the early church fathers. They changed the world by being filled and fueled to spread the message of Jesus Christ. The prophet Jeremiah had a similar feeling and experience as the early church did. He wrote of God that his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot (Jeremiah 20:9 NIV). The word of God consumed Jeremiah so much that he couldn’t hold it in. It had to be spoken to the people of Israel. The early church experienced much of the same. So what are we missing today? Where is the passion that we started out with for the gospel? The apostle Paul once said do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV)

The goal of the Christian life isn’t to find a comfortable place to worship, good music sets, or even to listen to a charismatic preacher. The Christian life is rooted in our belief in who Jesus Christ is, what He has done for us, and then being His witness to the world! We can have the best understanding of theology and Scripture, but without practical application, we’ve missed the mark and are simply living out a flickering faith rather than a blazing fire that is shut up in our bones. The theology that matters is not the theology we profess but the theology we practice (Francis Chan, Letters to the Church).

What would the letter to the Church be today? What is the theology that we practice? If you were to ask yourself honestly, what would need to change to return to the passion for the gospel?

In 1988 Disney produced an animated movie based on the story of Oliver Twist. Except it took place in the animal kingdom of cats and dogs living in New York City. A young cat named Oliver is orphaned on the streets of the Big Apple with no way to care for itself. Worried about all the new and scary things of this new world, he runs into a ragtag bunch of street dogs living high on life. The secret of their ring leader, the artful dodger, comes through a song called Why Should I Worry. Everything he needed was available to him on the streets of New York once he understood the rhythm of the city. He didn’t have to worry about the next because each new morning brought with it new provision to live. But can we say the same about ourselves in relation to our faith and interaction with the Living God?

How often do we find ourselves carrying this burden of what tomorrow will bring? We worry about our finances, our schedules, the relationships we have. We worry about our health and how we will navigate this thing or that. Often we plow forward as if the outcome of it all somehow rests entirely on our own strength and planning. There’s no question that there is struggle in this world. There is hurt and pain. The future is ultimately unknown. Where we will be a year from now is often hidden from our view. So how do we go through each day without being crushed by the weight of tomorrow. I believe Jesus gives us the answer to that question.

During the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s account of the gospel, Jesus says I tell you not to worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life (Matthew 6:25-27 NLT)?

Can your worries add extra time to your life? What will you get for all the worrying that we do? Anxiety? Stress? Wrinkles and a total lack of peace? The truth is we hate the unknown. We’ve spent most of our known history trying to uncover what is hidden. To somehow predict what the future will be. All in the hopes to be at peace. However, true peace doesn’t come to us from having every single detail of our lives perfectly figured out. It comes from intimately knowing the One who does have it all figured out. When we can shift our focus from our own issues and struggles to the character of God as our Provider, peace inevitably follows to replace the stress and anxiety. You do not have to hustle for your worth or worry about your next season. 

Jesus went on to say seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today (Matthew 6:33-34 NLT). God knows exactly what you need even before you ask and is weaving together your story for His glory. Your job is simply to seek His kingdom first and trust that His grace will be sufficient for today. He is faithful. He will fulfill all of His promises.

Fear is an inexplicable thing. It can drive us to make choices that we never thought. It can lead us down paths we never dreamed. It drives our conversations, occupies our minds, and overwhelms the soul at times. One author even went on to write that you may take the most gallant sailor, the most intrepid airman or the most audacious soldier, put them at a table together - what do you get? The sum of their fears (Tom Clancy, The Sum of All Fears). We live and operate in a world that has nearly been consumed by fear. Fear of the past, the future, illness, germs, employment, relationships, and a host of other things. How are we supposed to manage it all? The truth is, we really can’t. We try to with all of our strength. We try breathing techniques, exercises, and medications to control our fear and anxiety. And to an extent, it helps take the edge off. But does it solve the problem? If you asked anyone who suffers from long term anxiety or stress, they would most likely answer no. We need help at a deeper level. Perhaps what we need is a calming of the spirit. And that can only come from one place.

God spoke to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah saying do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10 NIV). God offers that same help to us today. What is the sum of all your fears? What is the thing that sits at the top of the list that you can’t seem to shake? What fear is driving your decisions today? God says don’t be afraid because He is with us. He brings strength to the weak and help to the weary. The psalmist went as far to say that great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit (Psalm 147:5 NIV)

There’s no limit to the greatness and power of our God. There’s no limit to His understanding of what you’re going through. The sum of all fears can be a scary thought. It can leave us feeling like we’re in a dark place, but the message of the gospel is clear; Jesus is still there to say, “don’t be afraid, I’m here.” Cast your fears onto Him this week. Give Him your loss. Give Him your frustration because great is the Lord. He’s mighty in power. And He has promised to never leave you or forsake you. His greatness and power knows no end.

It’s been said that we should live each day like it’s the last day of our lives. But is that really sound advice? What would happen if everyone did that? The likely scenario would be that the people of the earth would make hundreds if not thousands of irrational decisions. Because the reality is that we are a race of people who will fall back on our needs and desires when pressed. It’s been that way since the beginning. At the Garden of Eden, sin entered the world and we’ve been dealing with the effects of it ever since. It’s a constant cycle that has put a weight on us throughout the history of the human race. We each have a story to tell. All of us have experienced pain throughout our lives. Or maybe we’ve put aside dreams and impulses because we have so much life in front of us. So if someone asked you to live like there’s no tomorrow, would you make the best choice? Or the one you’ve held back?

But what if there was a better way? What if in the end, the choices that you’ve made day in and day out, do indeed matter? The truth is, there is a better way because of one person. Jesus Christ paid the price so that we might live. Scripture tells us that the end is coming. Jesus will return and we need to be ready for it. Not so that we hurry up and do all the things on our bucket list just in case it’s tomorrow. But so that we weigh the choices of the day in light of who God is calling us to be. The author of Hebrews says it this way, What about us, then? We have such a great cloud of witnesses all around us! What we must do is this: we must put aside each heavy weight, and the sin which gets in the way so easily. We must run the race that lies in front of us, and we must run it patiently. We must look ahead, to Jesus. He is the one who carved out the path for faith, and he’s the one who brought it to completion. He knew that there was joy spread out and waiting for him. That’s why he endured the cross, making light of its shame, and has now taken his seat at the right hand of God’s throne (Hebrews 12:1-2 NTFE). 

We don’t know what the future holds for us. We aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. But we know who holds the key to the future. The race we run isn’t a sprint trying to get to the end as fast as possible. It’s a marathon that’s run patiently with our eyes on the One who is and was and is forevermore. He endured the cross so that we might live. So that we might live in a way that brings glory to His name on the path of faith that He’s carved for us. Don’t rush it thinking you’re running out of time. In the end, run patiently.

Have you ever gone on a long road trip? Hours and hours of travel to get to the destination. If you were around before GPS, you may remember reading the atlas in your car trying to navigate. Or even printing out directions that you could follow step by step. It’s an exciting time to just hit the open road. But have you ever gone on that trip and after hours and hours of driving, stopping at the rest stops, and grabbing whatever coffee and food you could find; you realize that you missed your turn and are miles and miles in the wrong direction. All of sudden your road trip has found you in a place you didn’t expect miles from where you want to be, and unsure how to navigate the road ahead to find a new path. Eventually you land on the only possible solution. The U-turn. You turn around and head back where you came from. You find the last known direction and begin back on the path toward the destination. Without the U-turn, you would only find yourself further from the goal. There’s freedom in turning around. It’s a reset and gets you back on the right track.

That’s the role of repentance for the believer. Oftentimes, because of sin, we find ourselves in places we never thought we’d be. Facing situations we never thought possible. And traveling roads that are far from our intended destination. Sin has ravaged the world leaving us feeling lost and confused. Wondering how we even got there. As believers, we’ve been given a U-turn option. The apostle John wrote that If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 NIV).

The God we serve is a God of hope, justice, and forgiveness. He wants us on the path that leads to righteousness. Our sin has thrown a wrench into our journey and set us on an unforeseen detour. Repentance is the U-turn toward righteousness. However, too often we see repentance as a bright spotlight being cast on our failures revealing how bad of people we are. However, true repentance is an act of courage. It slams on the breaks on the destructive path we're on and makes the U-turn back toward where God is leading. When we honestly come to those we’ve hurt and before God to confess our shortcomings, there’s freedom. Instead of running away further down the wrong direction, repentance turns us around to run into the arms of a loving Father waiting to give us a fresh start. 

Wherever you might be today. Whatever may be holding you down. Whatever the struggle that has led you to this point. And no matter how far away you may feel, there’s time to make a U-turn and get back on the path God has called you to. He’s faithful and just.

Waiting is hard. The unknown is scary. And there are times we’re called to step out and go where we haven’t gone before. There are also times we’re called to just sit back and wait to see what will happen. And the truth is, I’m not sure if there is anything more nerve racking than the process of waiting. It causes stress, anxiety, frustration, and even heartbreak at times. “We must keep this thing going.” If we are in God’s order the thing will go; if we are not in His order, it won’t (Oswald Chambers, Conformed to His Image). The truth of it all is, it comes down to where we put our trust while we sit in a season of waiting.

When you look at the scope of who we put our faith in, hasn’t he already proved His faithfulness to those who love Him. After seventy years of exile, the Israelites were given their release and able to return to Jerusalem only to find it in ruins. So much waiting seemingly all for nothing. Until the prophet Haggai speaks to the people on behalf of the Lord. Haggai says, ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty (Haggai 2:9 NIV). Essentially what God is saying through the prophet here is God saying trust my timing. It may feel like a loss right now. You may be tired and frustrated from the waiting. You’ve been hurting, but what I have prepared for you is greater than what you lost.

And so He calls us to wait. For a time. For a season. Until He moves. The Good News of the day is that Our creator is the same and never changes despite the names given Him by people here and in all parts of the world. Even if we gave Him no name at all, He would still be there, within us, waiting to give us good on this earth (George Washington Carver). The promises of God will prevail over the season we are in. He reigns today as He did over those who returned from exile. And so He calls us to wait. Not for a sign. Not for a regime change. Not even for our favorite team to win. He calls us to wait on Him. For Him to move in His time. As the psalmist has said I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning (Psalm 130:5-6 NIV).

His promises still stand and great is His faithfulness. Trust in His timing. What He has promised and prepared for you is greater than whatever has been lost. More than watchmen wait for the coming dawn and the end of danger, Wait for the Lord to move! He’s on the move today!

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48 NIV). When you were growing up and heard these words, how would you feel? Like it was something to work toward or, maybe, that it was impossible? In our day and age, perfection seems like a dream that I’ll never reach. One could go as far to say that if you look for perfection, you'll never be content (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina). Yet why do we work so hard to be? Just look at our social media. Perfection is all about the flawless photos, curated live reel, and the fully edited posts to show how great things are and that we don’t mess up. But the truth is, perfection is about as illusive as grabbing the air. The reality is we will never be perfect beings. We make mistakes. We miss opportunities. We get ill, are in pain, and fall short more times than we can count. So what did Jesus mean when he spoke these words? How can we be perfect as God is perfect.

It comes down to our understanding of the word being used here. Perfect, according to Scripture, isn’t the same usage as we throw the word around today. Our modern use of the word “perfect” is that we can never make a mistake, that we need to do whatever the task is over and and over again until we can achieve it with our eyes closed, or that we will reach our end goal by way of a straight line. And in that understanding, we’ve misunderstood what Jesus is saying. Christian perfection therefore does not imply an exemption either from ignorance or mistake, or infirmities or temptations. Indeed, it is only another term for holiness… Everyone that is holy is, in the Scripture sense, perfect (John Wesley, Christian Perfection, 1741). To be perfect, according to Scripture, is to move toward holiness every single day. To become more like Jesus every single day. 

The reality of our lives is that we will err. We will veer from the designated path. In truth, we are weak beings in need of something greater than ourselves. And it’s here that the truth of Scripture rings out. God said once to Paul, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). In our weakness, God is strong. He is with us and moving us toward that end goal of our lives. But our end goal of perfection isn’t to never make a mistake, but rather to move toward holiness more and more each day. To be a little more like Jesus. The truth behind biblical perfection is less like an Instagram filter that pulls out all the unsightly things of our lives and is more like a sculptor slowly shaping stone into a work of art. Every day God chips away at the rough parts of our lives. Shaves off all the jagged edges and what doesn’t belong so that He can form us into something beautiful over time. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48 NIV). Move toward biblical perfection today, letting go of the unattainable goals of this world. Embrace the process He has you on to be a little more like Him each and every day.

Have you ever started a new routine or regiment? Whether it was a diet, exercise routine, or shift in your daily schedule. There’s a point about two weeks into it that you feel ready to give up. You’re not seeing the results you want. You’re tired and can’t keep up with the new pace of life. And then someone who’s been through it before comes to you and says “trust the process.” How many times have you heard that throughout your lifetime? Just trust the process of what you’re working towards. If you’re being honest with the person who said that to you, it makes you mad most of the time. You’re at a point when you want to give up. You gave it a shot and it’s not working out. Why should you keep going? Well, the quick answer that anyone who’s been through it before, is that there’s a greater reward on the other side. The process is the process for a reason. It takes time, endurance, and a certain amount of perseverance. The goal is there ahead of us, we just have to keep moving forward. The same is true for the Christian faith. 

As believers, we are in a constant process to become more like Jesus everyday. It’s a process called sanctification. Yet there are days that are hard. There are weeks we want to give up. I mean, will we ever reach that level of perfection? To answer that question, we need to look at those who have gone through this before us. The apostle Paul went through some extremely hard times as he navigated through the Christian life. Toward the end of his life, while he was in prison, he wrote I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Philippians 3:12-14 NLT).

Paul hadn’t reached the goal yet, but he kept going through the process. Even in prison, he saw the goal ahead. Through every hard day, he kept going through the process to reach the other side. And you can too. Because the truth we need to hear today is that on the other side of the process is a promise. Paul wrote earlier in that letter that of this I’m convinced: the one who began a good work in you will thoroughly complete it by the day of Messiah Jesus (Philippians 1:6 NTFE). The process that has begun in you will be completed. God will finish the good work he started in your life. Trust the process today!

What’s your favorite rags to riches story? Was it watching Cinderella transform into a ball gown ready thanks to the Fairy Godmother? Or maybe it was seeing Charlie Bucket find the golden ticket that launched him into a new life? Or maybe even John Rockafeller who began his life with nothing and went on to become known as the all time wealthiest men in American history. Truth be told, we love the stories of those who started at a humble beginning and went on to be so much more. They’re inspirational. They drive us to achieve the ending for ourselves. And the reality is, what if that could be our story.

When it comes to our faith and the journey we’re on, every believer has been transformed from rags to riches. We’ve been given something greater than wealth, status, or society could ever provide. You may feel ordinary. But the truth is, because of Jesus Christ working in your life, something extraordinary is about to happen. Don’t believe that? The evidence of this work is all over Scripture. One psalmist records one such story this way, [God] chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them (Psalm 78:70-72 NIV). Before he was King David with all the riches and exploits that went along with his title, David was a simple shepherd who cared for his father’s flock. He wasn’t even the most acclaimed son of Jesse. There were six others who were seen as more favorable. Yet God saw something in David and had great plans for him. Even with all his ups and downs, David knew who was the one working behind the scenes. At the end of his life, his last words were David, the son of Jesse, speaks - David, the man who was raised up so high, David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, David, the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Samuel 23:1 NLT).

David knew who he was. And he knew who got him there. God had done a great work in this humble shepherd. Transformed his life from rags to riches. And the amazing news is that he’s still doing that for every single believer today. You may feel completely ordinary. Wandering the same path as every other day. And that’s exactly where God has called you to be. Jesus is still transforming hearts and minds. Raising each of us from the rags of our past into the riches of the kingdom of Heaven. He has you where you are for a purpose. He’s still doing the extraordinary things in the most ordinary of circumstances of our lives. Be transformed today!

What do you do when you feel lost? One could answer that question multiple ways. If we were physically lost, we’d probably consult a map, ask directions, or wander until we find something familiar. However, if we felt emotionally or spiritually lost, would we not do the same thing? Many turn to Scripture. Some would ask for help. And then there are those who would wander around until they found a path that looked familiar to them. Life can often feel this way. Constantly wondering if things will change, get better, or end up differently. All the while, God is working out His plan for the world. As believers, we’re a part of that plan. We fit into it just as perfectly as the last puzzle piece fits in to complete the picture. Too often, we find ourselves in the weeds of the issue that we can’t always see the big picture until we step back and look at it in its entirety. The Good News today, God is always looking at the big picture and how each piece fits into the grand design.

Time and again God has shown His sovereignty of His redemptive plan for the world. After the resurrection, many disciples went out to share the gospel. However, there was a man named Saul who was bent on putting an end to the movement of Jesus’ followers. God had other plans for this Pharisee of Pharisees. On the road to Damascus, Saul encountered the living Jesus, blinded him, and changed the course of his life. God then sent Ananias to come and bring Saul further on this new path. Ananias responded to God’s call saying, “Lord, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel (Acts 9:13-15 NIV).

There was work happening here under the surface. God was working out His plan through Saul (who would now be known as Paul). Paul went on to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ further than anyone before Him. Paul had no idea that this was the path his life would take. But God did. And He was working out that plan well before Paul got to that road. And so it is for every believer. We may feel lost, confused, angry, or even discouraged. The roads may be long and we may be wandering feeling like we belong to a different puzzle altogether. However, it was Jesus who said in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33 NIV).

Take heart, dear reader, God knows exactly the place where your piece fits into the puzzle!

What do you think about yourself? The modern age has filled us with so many of these reflective questions. And we usually turn toward self help books. We analyze our self doubt, self esteem, and evaluate our self worth. We struggle with our self image and what people think about us. And when we break it down, what’s the common denominator of all of these things? Self. We are people who are consumed, motivated, and obsessed with ourselves. The real issue behind that is that we’ve missed the point of who we really are and whose opinion matters most. When we turn our thoughts inwardly, it’s easy to see how our actions can become really self focused. 

However, when our attention is stuck on self, often the image isn’t one that we like. And no manner of diets, exercise routines, beauty products, or clothes will ever change our feelings about what we see in the mirror. Especially when what we see is the emotional scars left behind from years of hurt. So maybe we need to start looking through a different mirror. The gospel writer, Matthew, records a conversation Jesus had with His disciples saying, Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:29-31 NIV). The issue we run into when we look at, listen to, or dwell in all of the “self” products out there is that they don’t deal with the greater issue and the deeper truth. Who you are isn’t a product of your past or the mistakes of your future. You are who God made you to be. You have value that may be hidden under years of hurt, stress, or illness. But He sees you for the value you have and is working to transform you into who He has made you to be. 

The reality of the believer is that, when we look inside, we should see something different. Salvation has made a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and with that has changed who we are. Not from the outside working against what’s going on inside of us. The Holy Spirit begins the work from the inside. Deep in our souls. Where our thoughts, feelings, and image questions begin to change. We begin to see things through a different set of lenses. Our value and worth don’t come from the books, media, likes, or people around us. Our value is found in the One who knows the number of hairs on every head. What can you do this week to unstick from self and see you value through His eyes?

Do you remember the last time you were afraid? I mean really afraid. Maybe it was the time someone tricked you into riding a thrill ride and by the time you realized it was too late to get off. Maybe it was something not so silly, but very serious and extremely frightening. Do you remember what that felt like? It’s the kind of feeling that could stop you in your tracks. It could paralyze you from making decisions. It could even be the very thing that makes you afraid to step out the front door or take a step one foot in front of the other. The truth is, we all feel fear at one time or another. The question isn’t how do we stop feeling it. The question is how do we deal with it.

After Jesus had died, the disciples found themselves in the exact same position. Everything they knew was not gone. The life they left to be with Jesus was essentially dead with him. What do they do now? Fearing for their own safety after a very hostile situation. So what did they do? They hid away. Afraid and alone. But it wouldn’t remain that way. The gospel writer John writes that on the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord (John 20:19-20 NIV). In their fear, Jesus came to them. He showed them that He still lives and that everything had changed. So much so that as we move into Luke's account in Acts, we see a very different Peter and John. The crowd who witnessed these two disciples speak couldn’t believe it was the same men. When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13 NIV). So what changed to take them from fearful to courageous? Only one thing. They had been with Jesus. His very Spirit working inside of the disciples gave them the courage to move and overcome the fear that once held them.

The same is true for every believer today. The celebration of the resurrection isn’t the end of a church calendar. It’s the beginning of something greater for each of us. We may be going through something right now that’s hard. At times we might be afraid. But Jesus has promised to be with us. And our worship of Him changes how we see our circumstances. The greater the storm, the louder our song will be. Battles may roar, but we sing from victory. Darkness will tremble, prison walls are gonna shake 'cause fear has no power when we worship [His] name… The enemy knows what your name is and scatters when we're giving [Him] our praises. The only overcomer of the grave is Jesus (Phil Wickham, Fear Has No Power). Fear doesn’t get the final word today. Jesus has risen! And we can walk in that assurance through whatever the storms of life bring us. Jesus has won the day!

 Did you have a favorite team growing up? Maybe you had their poster on your wall. Maybe there was a favorite player and you had them sign your memorabilia. But you followed this team hoping they made it to the championship. You rooted for the win, but felt the sting of the loss. Maybe you were the one playing on the team. Do you remember the feeling you had as the team entered the biggest game of the year? Will you win? Will you lose? The nerves are running high. Do you remember the feeling of victory? The elation of the task at hand. It feels good, doesn’t it? What if it could always be that way for us? To never have to feel the sting of losing. For every believer in Jesus Christ, that is the reality that we can live into.

The truth of the power of the resurrection is that the victory has been decisive for all time. There's power in the mighty name of Jesus. Every war He wages He will win. I'm not backing down from any giant 'cause I know how this story ends. Yes, I know how this story ends. I'm gonna see a victory for the battle belongs to You, Lord (Elevation Worship, See A Victory). We know the story ends for all eternity. Jesus Christ has won the victory over sin, shame and the death that we deserve. The Apostle Paul takes it one step further to say that overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37b-39 NLT).

We’ve been given the greatest gift of all through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Nothing in heaven or on earth nor can anything in all creation can separate us from the love of God. Where once we felt the sting of the loss. Separated from God. Jesus won the victory for us and the elation we have felt for our favorite team’s win can also be the elation we have each and everyday over the victory for our souls. Jesus has won every battle. Finished the campaign that secured our victory over sin and death. Because of that work, we are no longer separated from God, but able to come close to the Father, through Jesus. Easter is more than just a celebration that we have once a year. It’s a renewed declaration that victory has happened. Decisively and with such a finality that we still can feel the effects of it today. Live into that victory today! Feel the triumph that the enemy no longer has a hold on your life. Jesus Christ reigns victorious!

We all handle death differently. Some of us laugh. Some cry. Others take many years to recover from losing a loved one. But one thing that is universal is that a dead person shouldn’t walk around. At least outside of Hollywood. However, if we were to read and understand the Scriptures well, everyone is, or was, a dead person walking. Because of what we call original sin, mankind has been plagued with eternal death. Inescapable really. Paul writes to the Romans that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a NIV). It’s a bleak picture for the future when you end the conversation there. The good news is that this isn’t the end of the story. We serve a God who works miracles. And the truth is, He’s done it before.

Way back in the time of the prophets, God spoke to the prophet Ezekiel to share His message. But it wasn’t a message to the people of Israel this time. God sent Ezekiel to a field of bones. These bones were so old that they had dried. We’d consider them fossils today. Yet God sends Ezekiel to the field of dry bones to deliver a message. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord’” (Ezekiel 37:4-6 NIV). God declared that He would bring these old, dry bones to life. And guess what? That’s exactly what God did. Out of death and decay, God raised those bones to life again with the promise to bring everything under one king as Ezekiel went on to declare. It would be hundreds of years before God would fulfill that prophecy in the person of Jesus Christ. And it’s through the work of Jesus on the cross that our old, dry, and dead bones can be made alive again.

The Holy Spirit continues to fill believers with new life. You may feel like a dead person walking. The weight of sin and shame at the forefront of your mind. You may feel at the end of your rope. The future may be uncertain and you may not know how to act through it. You may feel like everything is falling around you. These are all places where death reigns. But the truth and hope that we have in the gospel message of Jesus Christ is that out of the death and decay, new life can begin. Dry bones are still coming alive. Our bones and spirits are being called forward into motion. Given renewed strength for the day through the power of the resurrection. 

Check your pulse today. Are you still a dead person walking or do you hear the call that brings dry bones to life again?

Have you ever felt the winter blues? That period of time when the sky always seems grey. The weather is really trying to become warmer, but winter is just holding on and you’re not sure whether to wear a coat or put spring clothes on. It can make you feel tired or even a little sad. It can make it harder to wake up in the morning. Especially if there’s a time change involved. It gets tiring. And if we’re being honest with ourselves, that’s how our faith journey can feel at times. We feel like God has been silent. There are just too many things piling up that seem to be against us. The pain of the past comes back to haunt us. The struggles of today are too much. We get tired. We get weary. We wonder even why we should keep going. It can be difficult. 

But all is not lost. At the end of winter, a new season emerges. Flowers bloom. New life comes. And at the end of our hope, something special happens. We realize that that’s when God can take over in our lives and give us new life. The prophet Isaiah spoke the words of God to the tired and so to be exiled people of Israel saying, Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV).

It’s the work of the Holy Spirit moving inside of us that a new season, a new faith, and a new life can emerge inside of what has seemed so tired and broken. It’s by Your spirit I will rise from the ashes of defeat. The resurrected King is resurrecting me. In Your name I come alive to declare Your victory. The resurrected King is resurrecting me (Elevation Worship, Resurrecting). The resurrection of Jesus Christ is more than just a story we tell year in and year out. It’s a declaration of hope for all who feel the winter blues. For all those who feel tired and weary. The hope we have in the resurrected king can renew our strength today. And He can renew your life in this season. Will you let Him?

There’s an investment strategy that has become popular with first time or novice investors called the “do-nothing” approach. Essentially one invests in a diversified portfolio and leaves it alone for a long time collecting the return on investment with little risk and little fees. In some spaces, it earns more than someone who is very active in the market. Many of us who don’t understand the game of the stock market have invested our pensions this way as a way to preserve our retirement. For all intents and purposes, this can and is considered to be a smart investment strategy. Do nothing and your investment will grow. However, it’s also considered to be a passive way to invest in the future. And the truth is this strategy has become a way of life for many. We go about our day to day. Do the same thing week in and week out. Investing little in the world market around us. Passive in our approach to the gospel. We do what we need to with little energy left over for anything else. The reality is that this isn’t something new, but inherited by the church of the modern day. We’ve lost the sense of urgency that Jesus will return. Lost the sense that how we spread the gospel here and now matters. In short, we’ve become comfortable with the way things are. The expectation now is that the church and its leaders are here to feed us rather than motivate or challenge us. Church has become a place of feeding rather than a place of equipping. 

The author of Hebrews said it best that by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:12-14 NIV). The problems that the church is facing today has been an issue from the beginning. It’s why this warning was written. To remind us all of the task at hand. To remind us of the urgency of the situation. Jesus promised to come back. We are promised that one day we will have to account for our lives. For the investment we made in the gospel message. The prophet Jeremiah once spoke for the Lord saying I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve (Jeremiah 17:11 NIV).

One day our investment will be judged by how faithfully we put it to work. Did we have a passive approach to all we’ve been entrusted with? Or did we faithfully attend our resources, skills, and time for the movement and advancement of the Kingdom of God? No one can answer that but you. When you’re called to give an account of your life, will your investment be seen as passive? Where we did nothing and hoped it grew. Or will it be seen as an active movement to grow the kingdom? How you invest is up to you. How will you invest this week?

Do you remember the old science experiment where you were given a scale and several objects trying to find the ones that balanced on the scale correctly. It was a matter of trial and error. If the object on one side was heavier, the scales would tip toward that object. If it was too light, the scale wouldn’t move towards a balanced position. Until it was just right and the two trays evened out. Seems like a good metaphor for life. Without balance we can tip to one side or the other. Without something or someone to hold us accountable, the balance of power rests in our own thoughts and designs. Too much influence from outside forces and the balance of power shifts. It’s a matter of finding the right balance and the right influences. To find the right things to keep us accountable in this life. But that’s the difficult part, right? We don’t like to be held accountable. We don’t like to be told we’re wrong. Or maybe we don’t like losing the control we have over our lives. 

The truth is for us today is that accountability helps us develop a sense of responsibility. It also promotes integrity and protects us from making poor decisions. What’s more, learning to examine ourselves keeps us honest and humble (In Touch MInistries, Our Personal Accountability). Being held accountable can be a powerful tool within our lives. It can keep us on the right track and maybe even keep us from making mistakes. It also helps to remind us that one day we will be held accountable for the life we lived. Paul wrote to the Roman church that we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God (Romans 14:10b-12 NIV).

The balance of power within our lives is hard. There are so many things trying to pull us away and out of balance. What we can center ourselves and rest on is that we aren’t the ones that hold the power in the first place. True balance comes from understanding that we serve a Mighty God who holds all things in His hands. He holds the power. And what we’re trying to keep in balance is with His power not the other way around. One day we will have to account for our lives. How we live matters. Are your scales balanced?

Have you ever looked at a weather map in the midst of a major storm? Maybe you lived through a hurricane or a blizzard. All around you is rain or snow. It’s a tremendous sight to behold, but have you ever looked at the radar map of the event itself? Placed where you are in the midst of it. We seem so small compared to what’s going on. A speck of dust on the road. Barely a blip on the radar. As we go through our lives it can feel like that. That our contribution is just insignificant. We don’t have much to add or make better. I mean, what’s the point, right?

It’s easy to be stuck in that pattern of thought. To feel like we can’t make a difference in a world that is bigger than us. And yet, we were put here for a purpose. We were put here to live with intention. And the truth is, as small as we may feel, we aren’t alone. David understood this truth as he led Israel as their king. He knew that he had a purpose, but he knew who was the one who would care it out. In one particular psalm, David wrote the Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands (Psalm 138:8 ESV). David knew that God would fulfill His purpose for David. As He will for each and every one of us. We may be small in relation to the cosmos, but God is infinitely bigger than it all. And He promises to be with us. The Apostle Paul once wrote that we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28 NLT).

You were created with intention and crafted with a purpose. Every detail that God designed you with was created with you in mind. You are not small or insignificant when you receive and live out God’s purpose for your life. God has entrusted you with everything you need to fulfill the work He has for you. He promised to be with you. He shows Himself through other believers and reveals Himself by upholding the promises He gives in Scripture. He will be with you always; the God of the Universe, the One who holds it all, promised to be with you and it’s our job to live this life with intention. So, what’s the point, you may ask? To follow what we’ve been called to. To take every passion, talent, resource and position that we have and use it for the glory of the Living God. We are called to more than coasting through life or to put our heads down and trudge through. We are not made to simply survive; we’re called to live intentionally for the purpose God has put before us.

There’s an old adage that says possession is nine-tenths of the law. The heart behind the phrase is that the person in possession of an object has a distinctive advantage over another person in retaining that object. For the last three centuries this has been the argument for many people to keep or not return something that is currently in their possession. We’ve become obsessed with acquiring, retaining, and purchasing. So much so that we need extra storage units, sheds, and garages to hold all the extra possessions we’ve retained over the years. The same is true when we look at our finances. Trust funds, IRAs, 401(k), 529, and any other combinations of letters and numbers to secure a future where we have money to live for the remainder of our days. To take it one step further, we each have a special set of skills that we only use when necessary, for work, or the rare occasion to help out a friend.

On the surface, there isn’t anything wrong with all of these things. We should plan for the future. We should use our skills when necessary. There isn’t anything wrong with needing more storage to have a comfortable life. The reality is that it comes down to the mindset we have about it all. The modern world tells us to claim our possessions and to hold onto them. It’s mine anyway, right? But what if it never was in the first place. Sure our names are on it. We may even benefit from it during our lifetime. But was it ever ours to begin with? What if it all belonged to someone else before it ever reached your hands?

The psalmist puts it this way, for the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land (Psalm 95:3-5 NIV). The truth of the matter is that no matter what is in our name or held in our possession, it all belongs to someone else. God created all things and in His hands, He holds it all together. And for the time we have on this earth, we’ve been given an opportunity to care for, hold on to, and manage the things in our purview. If you had to ask yourself today, how have you been managing all that’s been put before you? Are you coming before the Living God with an open hand ready to receive what He has for you? If possession is nine-tenths of the law, then all that we are and all that we have is in the possession of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. And out of His possession, we’ve been granted an opportunity to care for it with the time we have left. How are you managing that? With an open hand or a closed fist?

East vs. West. North vs. South. Axis vs. Allies. My team vs. your team. New vs. Old. Us vs. Them. It’s a tale as old as time. We pick sides. We create division. Humanity has been extremely good at creating lines in the sand. History has proven that time and again. Within the church, it’s become an epidemic. We create division lines around seating charts, preference, trends based on data. And every time we hit a fever pitch, some sort of rift occurs within the community of faith. Our dividing lines, whether they be from denominational ties or stylistic preference, have the potential of creating real division within the body of Christ that only pulls us further and further away from the mission we’ve been given. President Ronald Reagan once said that Harmony requires differences to be joined in pursuit of higher ideals. If we seek to bring the church together, it requires a harmony that goes beyond what we’ve accepted up until this point in history.

The apostle Paul once wrote, So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:26-29 NIV). The reality is that there is an “us”. There is a “them”. But it doesn’t exist as we’ve used it before. Us vs. them isn’t a weapon to keep those we don’t want in the circle away. According to Scripture, “us” is everyone who’s heard and accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ and “them” are all those who haven’t yet. And the key word there is yet. It’s a reframing of our thinking to go beyond our own comfort and preference to have a heart burning to share the gospel message. To give and share the experience we’ve had since salvation with someone else.

Jesus told His disciples to go and share the gospel. To be witnesses to the whole world. Beginning at the places that were close to us. As believers, we are heirs to the kingdom of God as was promised to Abraham. We’ve been given something wonderful. And we’re called to stop drawing lines in the sand. To stop creating things that divide us and them. But to pursue the highest ideal before us. To reach the lost. To share all that we’ve seen, heard, and experienced in faith. To have a burning heart filled with the love of Jesus Christ that’s set to go and share His message with the world.

Have you ever spent time thinking about the strength of rope before? Chances are, probably not. Unless you were a mountain climber or in an industry that required some aerial rigging. The vast majority think one rope is as good as another. But the truth is that not all rope is equal. In fact, it’s been proven that a 3-stranded rope has 20% more load capacity than a 2-stranded rope. That percentage is increased even more over a single stranded piece of rope. The bottom line? The more strands help to disperse the weight that is being carried. The load is shared thereby making the rope stronger.

This really isn’t a new concept. King Solomon understood the depths of this as it applied to humanity and those who walk with God. Solomon wrote that two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up… Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12 NIV).

We all carry some kind of weight with us. Stress of the job. The worries of life. Pain. Suffering. Even heartbreak as we go through our daily lives. Many of us try to go through it alone. We think that no one really wants to hear about my issues. I’ll just put my head down and keep trudging through while carrying the weight of it all on my shoulders. But when we do that, it’s a sure fire way to collapse under the pressure. Sure we may make it for a little while, but eventually fatigue will set in and eventually collapse. Why, though? Because we weren’t meant to carry the weight alone. 

As believers, we aren’t left on some island by ourselves meant to figure it all out alone. We’ve been given something wonderful in our lives. Other believers. Fellow followers of Jesus who are there to help lift us up inside of a community of faith. It’s those relationships that will grow us, challenge, and hold us accountable as we move forward in faith. One can be overpowered easily. Two is better than one. Three strands of rope is not easily broken. Share the weight you carry with another believer this week. Lean on them. Grow with them. Walk with God together in the weeks to come.

Often the most difficult part of serving is wondering how much will be asked of us. Most of the time when we think about service, we think that it will require us to go somewhere or take on responsibilities at a local church. That can seem and feel overwhelming when we consider the amount of time it may require of us when it feels like we don’t have enough as it is. So what do we do? How can we serve effectively without pushing ourselves to the extremes or completely outside where we are comfortable or capable.

The wonderful thing about serving as a follower of Jesus is that there are no ‘one size fits all’ ways to serve. The size of the service is less important than the heart of the service. There are times that the most simple action can make all the difference. The apostle Peter spoke to the churches under his care saying, each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV).

God has given all of us abilities that are specific to each of our lives and they are meant to be used for the kingdom of God. Not always on foreign soil or out on some missionfield. We’ve been placed where we are to do the most good we can right now. In the small actions we take every day. If you’re a doer, do. If you’re wise, give wisdom. If you have a heart for those in need, take hold of the opportunity. 

We’ve all been given the opportunity to serve each and every day. The signs are all around us. Opportunities present themselves daily. It’s in all the small things we do. All the people we interact and work with. But are our eyes open to seeing what God has put before us? Are we receptive to using our gifts and talents to serve the good of the kingdom?

In the end, our service to others and to this world is often the best way we can serve God. Make the most of the small opportunities. So that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:11b NIV).

Life is hard. Circumstances can be difficult to handle. Jobs are challenging. For the extrovert, loneliness can be crippling. And for the introvert, social settings are exhausting. All of these scenarios leave us feeling tired, drained, and often frustrated by the twists and turns of our lives. But is that to be expected? It’s hard to say really. We were never promised comfort and ease. We weren’t promised a life that was smooth sailing. As a believer, we were promised the opposite. That we would face all kinds of challenges in this life. The difference for the believer is who’s on our side. Jesus promised to be with us always. And, truth be told, if we look back at our lives, as scarred as they may have been, we can see the presence of God throughout it. And the deeper our relationship with our heavenly Father, the easier it will be to see all that He has done.

We see that throughout the life of David. David faced uncertain times. He faced those who wanted to hurt him. A king who chased him down so that David could be killed. David faced trials and ridicule. And yet, David spent his life in pursuit of a closer walk with God. If you were to read his psalms, or his prayers, we see the full range of emotions David had as he spoke with God. There was an openness to their relationship. Nothing was hidden from God, even in David’s darkest moments.

At one point, when King David was appointing Levites to watch over the Ark that was brought to Jerusalem, David said, Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Israel, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations (1 Chronicles 16:11-15 NIV).

David had such a deep connection with God that he was called a man after God’s own heart. David commands the priests to seek the face of God always. To be in constant connection and conversation with God Almighty. It’s the very call on the lives of all believers today. No matter your situation. Whether it’s been a good year or one of the worst you can remember. God is still there with open arms waiting to be in connection and conversation with you.

The only question is, are you putting in the effort to be in connection with Him? Conversation is a two way street. He’s still speaking today. But is our communication line open to Him today? If not, what can you do this week to reestablish the connection? He remembers the covenant He made to be with you. Make the connection this week.

We hear so much noise on any given day. The sound of the car, the television playing in the background, our music stylings, even the sound of conversations around us. But how often do we really listen? There is a difference between hearing and listening. Ask any of our closest relationships. We may hear the words that are being said, but how many times do we really listen to the meaning of the words and understand what the person is trying to say. There are so many other things trying to grab our attention. Especially in the 24/7 media cycle, unyielding social media, and round the clock radio. The problem becomes amplified more so when the conversation turns to hearing from God. It feels like there is so much noise around us that we can’t distinguish the voice of our Creator. My schedule is unrelenting. My kids need my attention. I’m exhausted and just want to relax. When are we supposed to find the time to listen to God?

Yet we think that this is a new issue. The reality is that we’ve been facing this problem for a very long time. As humans, we tend to listen when we want to. As well known evangelist Charles Spurgeon once remarked, if the sound of money to be earned was calling for our attention, we’d listen. Many times we’d be all ears. Yet, as Spurgeon went on, hearing the voice of God sometimes seems impossible. It’s even harder if we don’t work at it. The prophet Isaiah also dealt with the same issue when addressing the people of Israel. He recorded the words of God saying, incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David (Isaiah 55:3 ESV).

The phrase here to “incline your ear” is to lean in attentively to what’s being said. To truly put your attention on the speaker. In this case, to listen up to the voice of God so that we might live. It takes effort. It takes time. It takes presence. Not just to hear alongside all the other sounds that come into our lives each day, but to spend the time in the presence of God to grow the relationship we have with Him. The more we grow, the easier it will be for us to understand His voice. We know this to be true because we see it in our daily relationships. The more we get to know someone, the easier it will be to understand the things they say. And more importantly, the things that are unsaid. We begin to understand mannerisms, shrugs of the shoulders, even the single syllable responses. The same truth can be applied to hearing from God. The more time we spend with Him, the easier it will be to understand. Spurgeon went on to say that we should think about divine matters as God sets them before you (Charles Spurgeon, God’s Own Gospel Call, 1889). Don’t pass over moments with God too quickly. Think about them. Discuss them. Spend the time hearing the world of God and listen up.

Former secretary general to the United Nations, Kofi Annan, once said that knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family. In our world and society, we’ve given a lot of weight to acquiring knowledge. Or to be smarter than the people around us. It’s an idea that has trickled down from generation to generation, even in our kid’s programming. Yogi Bear was even “smarter than the average bear.” Over the years, tremendous weight has been given to education and educational institutions. If you were to really work at it, you could be a professional student acquiring degree after degree. However, if we just stop at the acquisition of knowledge, could it be that we’ve missed something along the way? Isn’t life more than the accumulation of knowledge in our minds? The reality is, life is a learning journey. It’s the practical implantation of the knowledge we have into a learning experience. Where we grow from our mistakes, understand why we do what we do, and to grow as people. We should never give up learning. The same is true in our journey of faith.
Scripture puts a strong emphasis on knowledge. The apostle Peter has even said that His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness (2 Peter 1:3 NIV). According to Peter, all the divine power of God is available to us to live and be godly in this life through knowledge. It’s really incredible when you think about it. But the caveat here is that accessing this divine power that’s available to us comes from more than the acquisition of knowledge. Life and godliness are at stake. Not that knowing guarantees godliness! It doesn't. But it seems that ignorance guarantees ungodliness. Because, Peter says, the divine power that leads to godliness is given through the knowledge of God (John Piper, The Power of Knowledge).
The divine power that leads to godliness only comes from knowing God or having knowledge of Him. This is more and deeper than just knowing about God. Divine knowledge of God is a deep and personal relationship with our Creator and with our Savior. It comes down to taking all that accumulated knowledge we have in our minds and applying it to the practical application of our lives. It’s when we can unlock that pathway and truth in our lives that knowledge really does have power. Where do you fall on that spectrum right now? Just acquiring information? Sometimes applying the truth of Scripture to the life we lead? 
Where can you take a step toward a deeper understanding and knowledge of God this week?