"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:1-2, ESV). When I think of taking a walk, I typically think in terms of a nice afternoon stroll with my wife. Unless she's in a real hurry, it's usually a pleasant experience. Usually. This is not the kind of stroll the apostle Paul is talking about. As opposed to an afternoon stroll where there is freedom and beauty, the walk Paul is referring to is one that is dead. Not deadly. Dead. Lifeless. When we lived according to the principles of this world, we were walking in step with their values. Left foot, right foot, step after step was an exercise in slavery and condemnation. The weight of sin entangled our…
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There is a difference between challenges and setbacks. A challenge is an obstacle, problem, or difficulty that must be confronted. Not all challenges become setbacks. Some challenges are overcome and we grow as a result of being stretched and tested. We gain confidence, climbing a mountain we never thought we could climb. And then there are the times we fall. Or, more specifically, we fail. What started out as a challenge became a setback. Rather than advancing forward, we actually lost ground ... or money ... or reputation ... or friends. When Peter was asked if he knew Jesus, that was a challenge. When Peter uttered those words, "I do not know the man," that was a setback. How we grow through a challenging experience seems obvious. But how do we bounce back from a setback even stronger than before? When Jesus predicted Peter's betrayal, he also predicted it would not…
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Cigarette boxes come with warnings. So do mattresses. In the spirit of fair warning, I offer the following disclaimer. Micromanagers and control freaks beware: what I'm about to say may disconcert you. Not everything will turn out the way you want it to. There are times you must trust God for the outcome. This doesn't mean we sit on our thumbs and wait for God to deliver the goods. God has asked us to be stewards of the gifts, talents, and treasures he has given us. The Great Commission challenges us to be seed-casters, sowing the seeds of the Gospel to whomever will listen. The Great Commandment calls us to invest in the lives of people. We are to make the most of every opportunity. Whatever we do, we are to work at it with all of our heart. But, in the end, God provides the increase. Our job is to…
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