“because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” James 1:3 (NIV) God is testing your faith right now through your current struggle. That sentence probably makes you uncomfortable because testing sounds like something negative. We think of…
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” James 1:2 (NIV) Trials are guaranteed to come into your life at some point. James doesn’t use the word “if” when he talks about trials…
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’” Luke 12:20 (NIV) Death has a way of exposing what really matters. The…
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34 (NIV): Your spending tells the truth about your worship. You can say you love God with your mouth. You can claim Jesus is your priority. But your…
“For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.” Luke 12:30 (NIV) Worry is the twin brother of greed. Greed says, “I need more.” Worry says, “I don’t have enough.” Both come…
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:21 (NIV) The rich fool had everything except what mattered. His fields produced an amazing harvest. His barns were full…
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’” Luke 12:15 (NIV) Greed doesn’t knock on your door. It sneaks in quietly, dressed like…
“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what…
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV) You say God is your priority. You say your faith matters most to you.…
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2 (NIV): Your mind will focus on something. It never just sits empty and quiet. When you are driving alone, your mind is thinking. When you are lying in…