Summary A deer-ravaged garden becomes a vivid picture of human sin. Like unseen deer leaving tracks, our self-justifying behavior is obvious to others but hidden from us. We instinctively excuse our thoughts and actions, assuming we are the standard. Scripture exposes this pride and calls us to humility, which opens the flow of God’s grace and leads us from self-deception into spiritual reality. A Garden Under Siege Gardening has been challenging in 2025. I planted green bean

Summary Many people are physically alive but spiritually dead. Though appearances can deceive, values and behavior reveal spiritual condition. Spiritual death began in Eden and continues through self-centered living focused on pleasure and pride. Scripture teaches that God alone gives spiritual life through Christ’s resurrection. Does your life reveal evidence that you are spiritually alive? When Appearances Are Misleading Things are often not what they appear. Get-rich-quick

Summary This article traces the author’s journey from shallow church involvement to a transformed Christian life shaped by grace. A clear understanding of the gospel, modeled faith through mentors, daily Scripture and prayer, and intentional discipleship became defining influences. By slowing down to truly engage God’s Word and learning from faithful believers, the author discovered lasting peace, spiritual growth, and a lifelong calling rooted in grace rather than performanc

Summary This article explains how learning to be filled with the Holy Spirit and consistently memorizing Scripture transformed the author’s Christian service. Trusting the Spirit replaced self-effort, while systematic Scripture memory deepened spiritual power and readiness. God commands believers to rely on the Spirit and promises to answer such prayers. Storing God’s Word in the heart equips believers for fruitful service, sustained growth, and effective ministry. Power for

Summary Teamwork and spiritual growth are important for effective ministry. God designed the church so every believer contributes through spiritual gifts, not just one leader. A team-based ministry model multiplies fruit and impact. Reading Christian books deepens spiritual insight and guides mature believers across generations, strengthening faith and ministry effectiveness. Learning Ministry from a Team Sport I watch a high school television quiz show called “Brain Busters.

Summary This article reflects on God’s unpredictable but life-shaping guidance over decades of Christian faith. Through healing, inner promptings, rare visions, delayed promises, and deep community in small groups, God directed and multiplied the author’s spiritual fruitfulness. Though dramatic encounters were infrequent, each was transformative. The article highlights trusting God’s timing, valuing spiritual community, and recognizing that God often works quietly before prod

Summary This article offers encouragement for believers struggling with unanswered prayer. When God seems silent, trust is tested, but faith grows by remembering God’s character, trusting His timing, and staying rooted in Scripture and community. Honest prayer and reflection on God’s past faithfulness help sustain hope. Even delays serve a purpose, as God often uses waiting to deepen character and strengthen faith. God’s silence is never abandonment. He is always present and

Summary This article challenges common ideas of success and replaces them with God’s definition. While people measure success through performance and recognition, Scripture reveals that true success is accepting Christ’s sacrifice and serving God through Spirit-empowered obedience. Religious activity alone does not equal success. Only a surrendered life that bears fruit for God’s glory fulfills His purpose. Eternal success is not what we do for God, but what He does through u

Summary Jesus is both the Lamb of God and the Good Shepherd. As the Lamb, He sacrificed His life to remove sin and make us right with God. As the Shepherd, He provides, protects, and leads His sheep into abundant life. Scripture shows that salvation, security, and eternal care come only through faith in Jesus, the one Shepherd who knows His sheep and gave His life for them. An Unexpected Reversal of Roles It seemed strange to hear a seminarian say the equivalent of “My teache

Summary Human worth is not based on productivity. While culture measures value by performance, Scripture anchors worth in God’s declaration. Made in God’s image and redeemed by Christ’s sacrifice, people are valuable apart from what they produce. God measures believers by faithfulness, not spiritual results. Fruitfulness depends on God alone. Our worth rests securely in who God says we are, not in how much we accomplish. How Culture Measures Human Value Our culture’s message

Summary This article warns believers about the danger of spiritual drifting. Using an athletic illustration, it shows how drifting feels natural but undermines effectiveness. Hebrews urges careful listening to God’s unchanging message of salvation. Familiarity can dull devotion, but intentional attention keeps the gospel central. God confirmed Jesus’ message through miracles and the Spirit. Ignoring this great salvation carries serious consequences, making vigilant listening

Summary This article compares water quality to spiritual heart health, showing why godly input and careful filtering matter. Just as polluted water harms the body, ungodly influences damage the heart. Scripture, Christian relationships, and the Holy Spirit nourish spiritual life, while discernment protects it. Believers must guard their hearts by filtering ungodly input and treasuring Jesus above all else, ensuring that God’s love flows freely through their lives. Why Water Q

Summary This article compares spiritual life to tire pressure that slowly leaks without maintenance. Dry seasons call for intentional renewal through Scripture, repentance, gratitude, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. By rejoicing in grace, releasing hurts, and serving others, believers can reignite spiritual passion. Consistent spiritual disciplines restore joy, deepen intimacy with God, and renew strength to live out the good works He has prepared for each believer.

Summary Fulfilling God’s purposes requires extraordinary spiritual strength. Unlike athletes who train physically, believers draw strength from God’s grace through faith. God never assigns tasks without supplying the power to complete them. Grace through faith is the pipeline for both salvation and service, allowing God’s power, love, and self-discipline to replace fear and equip believers to overcome spiritual opposition and accomplish the good works God has prepared for the

Summary This article contrasts natural self-serving decision-making with Christ-centered living. While the world chooses what benefits the self, Christians are called to live for Jesus in every choice. God’s wisdom prioritizes what honors Him and benefits others first. Through faith, believers receive Christ’s righteousness and are transformed by the Spirit into practical holiness. True Christian living replaces convenience with love, obedience, and Spirit-empowered choices t

Summary Passion alone does not make life productive. While people devote themselves to many things, Scripture teaches that devotion to the wrong pursuits is still unproductive. God defines a productive life as devotion to doing good and meeting others’ needs. True devotion to God shows itself through serving people and helping them know Him. A life centered on God’s purposes, not personal passions, produces lasting value and usefulness to the Master. Why Passion Alone Does No

Summary This article challenges readers to examine what they call “precious.” Drawing from Scripture and literary illustration, it shows that whatever we treasure controls our hearts. Earthly pleasures are fleeting, while faith in Jesus brings eternal joy and meaning. True life requires surrendering self-centered pursuits and choosing Christ as our greatest treasure. Those who live for eternity gain both an abundant life now and everlasting reward, while those who cling to te

Summary The New Testament contrasts fragile earthly wealth with secure heavenly treasure and warns that money and God cannot share our devotion. Loving money leads to pride, anxiety, and spiritual harm, while loving God produces contentment, generosity, and trust. True believers rely on God as their hidden resource, seek His Kingdom first, and use spiritual riches to bless others rather than trusting in financial success. The Love of Money Versus Love for God I studied what

Summary True maturity combines conditional independence, interdependence with others, and complete dependence on God. Self-reliance has limits, while trusting God brings security, strength, fruitfulness, and eternal life. Healthy Christians live like spiritual children before God, trusting Him fully and drawing power from Christ to love, serve, and glorify Him. As infants, we’re dependent on others to supply our food, clothing, shelter, a place to sleep, and many other needs.

Summary True wisdom surpasses education and rests on God-centered, wholesome thinking. Secular reasoning contrasts with biblical truth, with ignoring God leading to distorted thinking. Wholesome thinking anchors the mind in God’s character, guides every stage of life, resists self-deception, and focuses on blessing others. Fixing our thoughts on what honors God leads to faithful, purposeful living. When I graduated from college, I summarized the value of my education at my se