You cannot make God stop loving you, because his love is based on who he is, not what you do. It is based on his character, not your conduct.
You cannot keep yourself from talking about what you care about most. Jesus said, A man’s heart determines his speech.
You also know you’re surrendered when you don’t react to criticism and rush to defend yourself. Surrendered hearts show up best in relationships. You don’t edge others out, you don’t demand your right...
When you don’t know whom you’re trying to please, you cave in to three things: criticism (because you are concerned about what others will think of you), competition (because you worry about whether s...
What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus?
We discover that meaning and purpose only when we make God the reference point of our lives.
Those who have hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt you now unless you hold on to the pain through resentment.
This is the paradox: victory comes through surrender. Surrender doesn’t weaken you; it strengthens you. Surrendered to God, you don’t have to fear or surrender to anything else.
Then Jesus changed the situation. When he paid for our sins on the cross, the veil in the temple that symbolized our separation from God was split from top to bottom, indicating that direct access to...
The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears.
Surrendered hearts show up best in relationships. You don’t edge others out, you don’t demand your rights, and you aren’t self-serving when you’re surrendered.
Peace with God, peace with others, and peace in your own heart.
Maturity is produced through relationships and community.
If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.
If you are a member of a small group or class, I urge you to make a group covenant that includes the nine characteristics of biblical fellowship: We will share our true feelings (authenticity), forgiv...
If perfection was a requirement for friendship with God, we would never be able to be his friends. Fortunately, because of God’s grace, Jesus is still the friend of sinners.
As so many people in the Bible did, tell God exactly how you feel.
A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree. PROVERBS 11:28
What surprises me most about God is that the creator of the universe should want a relationship with me.
Trusting God completely means having faith that He knows what is best for your life. You expect Him to keep His promises, help you with problems, and do the impossible when necessary.