We are encouraged, no commanded to guard our thought life. We have no business meditating on offenses, worrying about tomorrow, stressing over today or lamenting over yesterday. We must allow grace, love, and peace to write the narrative that is playing in our heads. Now, this is of vital importance. Because we are warring against a real enemy and he likes to play mind games. He likes to sow seeds...
The Challenge – Week 9 Day 5
How to Change Your World Pray. Before you react to today’s events – Pray. Ask God to show you His perspective. Ask Him to give you the right words to speak. Ask Him to show you what to do. Instead of worrying about tomorrow – Pray. Ask God to show you how to pray for the future. Ask Him to give you vision for tomorrow. Do you really want to...
The Challenge – Week 9 Day 4
Accusations. One of the primary tactics of the enemy. He accuses our character, our ability, and yes he accuses our God. Sometimes these accusations come from other people, but more often than not it’s that inner voice that causes us to doubt ourselves and doubt God. It’s that annoying feeling that causes us to think that we are inept, ill-equipped, unimportant, and unqualified. Have you heard that voice? Recognizing this...
The Challenge – Week 9 Day 2
How do we resist or oppose evil? Paul encourages us to put on the whole armor of God. In light of recent events, this response may seem inadequate. Perhaps a more Old Testament response (an eye for an eye) is more suitable. But as Martin Luther King, Jr. so eloquently put it: That just leaves everyone blind. So how exactly do I oppose evil? How does this abstract armor Paul...
The Challenge – Week 9
WEEK 9 – I AM STRONG IN THE LORD (Ephesians 6:10) Goliath was massive – over nine feet tall with armor that weighed over 120 pounds! The skilled warriors of Israel trembled in his presence. Of course, to fight such a formidable opponent, one must don the correct armor. So Saul, David’s mentor and also a skilled warrior, dressed David in his armor. It had proven successful for Saul, and...
The Challenge – Week 7
WEEK 7 – I AM SEATED IN CHRIST IN HEAVENLY PLACES (Ephesians 2:6) We were all excited about my daughter’s upcoming nuptials. I wanted to give her the wedding of her dreams. But as always with me, I like to save a dollar wherever possible. When the caterer offered a ten percent discount for paying in cash, of course I took advantage of the opportunity. I was uncomfortable carrying that...
The Challenge- Week 1 Day 3
One of the reasons I love teaching Calculus is because it requires students to use every math concept they have learned previously. All of the concepts they asked previous teachers, “When will we ever use this?” Is now used in Calculus and applied to real life applications and you never know what previous concept will pop up on a test or quiz. You must be prepared at all times. The...
Persevere
A small town of Gibeah started a Civil War. A few men in the town performed a hideous act. The tribe of Benjamin refused to turn these men over for punishment and so the other 11 tribes warred with their brothers. Now the 11 tribes were stronger than the tribe of Benjamin. They were morally correct and they had inquired of God if they should attack their brother. God had...
You Win!
David was simply walking in his gifts as warrior and fearless leader. But this angered his mentor, Saul, so that Saul sought to kill David. He pursued him, plotted against him, sent men to spy on him. Simply because David was being who God called him to be. Saul represents the enemy of our souls in this story. He is infuriated when we simply walk in our God-given gifts. The...
Happily Ever After
Sometimes, you have to fight for your happy ending. God had promised the nation of Israel this land flowing with milk and honey, a land full of possibilities, a land of abundance, a land of rest. There was just one problem – giants who were not ready to give it up. The nation of Israel had to engage in a battle to take what was promised. Now on paper, this...