"The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 'Be careful,' Jesus warned them. 'Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod'" (Mark 8:15). Why did Jesus warn them about religious and political spirits at this moment? I'm sure it was partly because …
Rewriting Your Mission Statement
“When the world hates you, remember it hated me first” (John 15:18). Instead of reading that in the larger context of Jesus encouraging the hearts of his friends, some people seem to have made that verse a mission statement for their lives. There's no way to please everyone, and you shouldn't compromise your identity or …
Grace, Graceo
In Zechariah 4, an angel brings encouragement from God to a man who is completely overwhelmed, telling him to stop focusing on dealing with his difficult circumstances with physical strength, and instead see and overcome them with God’s Spirit. He then tells him something strange—to shout "grace, grace" at the impossible in order to see …
You Already have the Peace You Need
Being at peace doesn't mean not having any conflict—there's almost always some kind of struggle around or in us. Being at peace means knowing who God wants to be for you in the conflict you're in. Because peace isn’t just a state. Peace is a person. Jesus has given you all of himself, which includes …
There’s Life in the Process
"You will find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:11). This isn't God being cruel or indifferent, it's God being passionately committed to you becoming all you’re capable of in him. He never leaves you, never quits on you, but there are times when it seems difficult to recognize his presence. …
Equip Your Spirit 