When trials arrive, it's a myth you'll rise to the occasion, rather you'll sink to your level of preparation; preparedness arises only from continual training.Israel faced a similar situation. After one captivity a few decided to return to the Holy Land to build the temple. As enemies launched their attack, the builders withered, gave up, and quit. The battle's too hard, we're tired, let someone else do it, it's not the right time, rationalizing their excuses for failing to stay th...

As you examine the often messed-up church remember problems in the church aren't new - they began early in church history. John the apostle in Revelation noted the state of the early church in chapters 2 and 3.Instead of learning from the past and correcting its errors, churches often invent new methods of division, ruin its witness, and generally present a poor image of Christ.If you've wondered why and how the church focuses on everything but ministry, then Paul's letter ...

People became familiar with Daniel's book from Daniel and the lion's den, as well as the famous seventy weeks prophecy. Yet Daniel's book contains more than Sunday School flannel-board stories and the key to all prophecy as Paul reminds us whatsoever things were written in earlier times were written for our learning.Daniel's character was unwavering, as he decided early in his life to maintain devotion to God and his integrity, no matter the cost. That's the lesson to learn from Da...

A terrible disease infects Christians from believing life is easy and God grants everyone a Lexus, ice cream, and a pony. When life gets tough people hide pain and frustration created by the paradox of what they think the Christian life should be-versus the reality they experience-by transforming into Tony the Tiger, where everything is grrrrreat!A simple, but difficult, cure arrives from a stiff shot of reality - God is not a genie granting wishes, life is hard, and you may not ge...