Adversity

The Bible’s perspective on adversity is that it is always working for you. Sometimes God sends it. And even if He doesn’t, He still uses it.

So, as a biblical believer, I conclude:

There is no way to lose in any given situation.

I believe if we understand why we might be going through something, the grace and strength to see it through will be there. But if we don’t know why tough things have fallen in our laps, it’s hard to stay focused.

That wisest of all men, Solomon, once said, “In all your getting, get understanding”
(Proverbs 4:7).

Excerpted FromThe Necessity of an Enemy by Ron Carpenter

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Daily Reflection: What can you do the next time you’re faced with adversity to sit back and “get understanding” on God’s use of it?

Value

Pull out the newest bill in the highest denomination you have. Look at it carefully. If it’s new, it looks crisp, doesn’t it?

Okay, now I want you to crumple up that bill into a little wad. Pound it with your fist if you like. I’ll wait…

Now unwad the bill and smooth it out. It doesn’t look so crisp anymore, does it? So do you still want it? Of course you do.

Next I want you to crumple the same bill up again, then stomp on it several times. If you do it on a dirty floor, that’s even better. I’ll wait again…

Did that feel good? Now smooth out the bill again. It’s starting to look a little tattered, isn’t it?

Do you still want it? Of course you do! Why is that? Because the condition of [ … ]

Happiness in God

If you’re serving Jesus, it’s not supposed to be about happiness, right? The goal of submitting to Christ is not to assure your own sense of satisfaction.

That’s true, as far as the statement goes. Serving God is about faithfulness and obedience, not about seeking personal happiness. But serving God and others in ways you were created and gifted for brings a natural sense of joy and soul satisfaction. These feelings come from the synergy of your life connected to God’s Spirit and involved in a realm of Kingdom missions work that you were designed and equipped for. These things come to you from living within God’s plan and design.

Excerpted From The Gospel of Yes by Mike Glenn

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Daily Reflection: How has your faithfulness and obedience to God brought you joy and satisfaction?

Don’t Let Your Face Plant Grow Roots

Is it possible that messing up can build you up and make you more fit for success? Yes! What does not destroy you can make you stronger, more focused, more creative, and more determined to pursue your dreams. You may be in a rush to succeed, and there is nothing wrong with that, but patience is a virtue too, and failure certainly will develop that trait in you. Believe me, I’ve learned that my schedule isn’t necessarily in God’s day planner. He has His own time line and the rest of us have to wait for it to unfold.

Excerpted from Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic

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Daily Reflection: We all fall down, but what matters is getting back up. What have you learned from any of your failures, recent or past?

Connection is a Command

“The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian men, “Stop acting like you don’t need each other!” The author of Hebrews wrote that when we walk alongside people headed in the same direction, we can sustain our commitments. According to Proverbs, a good friend tells us what we needto hear, not what we wantto hear. We are better men when we are connected.”

Excerpted from Every Man, God’s Man by Stephen Arterburn and Kenny Luck with Mike Yorkey

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Daily Reflection: Are you walking alongside men/women who are true, good friends? Do these men and women strengthen you?

For Everything There Is a Season

We are all connected. We all have the same basic human needs to love and be loved. We all want to serve a purpose and to know that our lives have value. Living in balance also means living in harmony with others, which may require giving up yourself to share in something greater—a fuller life.

I was a single man for so long that when I finally found a loving relationship, I had to make some quick adjustments. I had wanted to share my life with someone, but in some ways I wasn’t prepared for what that actually meant. My balance was thrown off because my life was no longer just mine. It was like having someone else jump into your canoe. Suddenly, everything shifts. You have to adjust your position. The load is greater but so is your paddle [ … ]

In His Image

Just think: of all His magnificent creations—the brilliant sun, moon, and stars; the vast oceans; the fascinating planets; the exotic animals; and more—the one that most resembles God Himself is humankind—you and me. God made us in His image; we are as true a reflection of His character and nature as possible. Search the universe, and nothing will say “God” more than the creation known as man and woman…

We find passion and joy in walking with the One who designed every part of us. He designed our minds, so He knows how to put us at ease. He created our bodies, so He knows how to strengthen us. He formed our hearts, so He knows how to thrill and delight us. He molded our spirits, so He knows our innermost desires; and only He can satisfy those desires.

Excerpted [ … ]

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Stand Aside

Give Me permission, Christ promises, and it is yours. My mind for yours (1 Corinthians 2:16)—a holy exchange. Perhaps it’s silly, but I’m visual, so I’ve started taking this promise from God’s Word and claiming it through a simple exercise. Sometimes in my mind, but sometimes (on especially difficult days) with an actual poke to my chest, I push an imaginary button. Then, by faith, I envision my mind dropping out of sight while the mind of Christ rises to take its place. After all, there are situations and circumstances in my life when a sparkling, washed-by-the-Word mind is simply not enough. Times when I need my thoughts and feelings and will to be Christ’s very own. According to the Bible, I can have both. The natural made new, the supernatural made mine. My mind bound to His.

Excerpted from At [ … ]