“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9-10). Victoria grew up like many middle income families. She loved school and was even the in her homecoming court all four years in high school. After some tragic family deaths

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Rev 3:20). I am constantly amazed that the Creator of the universe wants to have an intimate relationship with us. While we are frantically

“The anger of the LORD burned against them, and he left them” (Num 12:9). Beware of trying to depose a leader that God has raised in your midst. Leaders are placed by God in business, government, churches – almost every place where leaders are required. When God places a person in position of authority, it

“But Moses replied, ‘Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!’”(Num 11:29). One of the attributes of a Kingdom leader is to recognize when God is raising new leadership and be a catalyst to affirm and encourage it.

…”I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name” (Isa 45:3). During a workplace conference I met Ed, a small business owner of a marketing communications company. We struck up a conversation and I immediately felt a kindred spirit between us. I appreciated his obvious talent and began an exchange by

“So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you” (2 Cor 4:12). On 9/11/01, New York City firefighter Stephen Siller had just completed his shift when he heard on his truck’s scanner that a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers. Siller quickly turned his truck

“The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together…”(Isa 40:4-5 NKJV). I don’t know about you, but I hate road construction. I live in a growing city and it seems like there has been ongoing road construction

“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position” (James 1:9). Whenever God takes a saint to a very lowly state it is designed to accomplish something only that process can do. Job learned that “He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light” (Job 12:22).

“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Our Lord never saw the mundane activities as ordinary. Whether He healed the sick or sat around the fire with the disciples, He did not see one activity as spiritual and the other non-spiritual. Life was

“She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said” (Luke 10:39-40). A story is told of a western missionary group that was sitting with a foreign visitor planning strategy for an upcoming evangelistic trip to his country. One man led in prayer, asking for God’s help in

“Sixty queens there may be, and eighty concubines, and virgins beyond number; but my dove, my perfect one, is unique…” (Song of Solomon 6:8-9). Every business must have a unique niche if you wish to separate yourself from others to compete in the marketplace. This is especially true if you are competing in an industry

“Usually a person should keep on with the work he was doing when God called him” (I Cor. 7: 20 TLB). We’ve all heard stories of men or women in the workplace that left their jobs for the “ministry.” Certainly God does call people into vocational ministry. However, many times this move is more rooted

“Moses said to the LORD, ‘O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue’” (Ex 4:10). One of the greatest affronts you can commit against God is to refuse His calling that He has placed upon you. Imagine

“Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me” (Philem 11). Paul’s letter to Philemon reveals something about a man named Onesimus. At one time, Paul viewed Onesimus as useless. But while Paul was in chains he treated Onesimus as a son. Something changed in this

“Then they said, ‘these are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt’” (Ex 32:4). Moses had gone up onto Mount Sinai to meet with God and receive the Ten Commandments. He left his brother Aaron in charge. Aaron had been mentored by his brother Moses. However, we learn that Aaron still

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down” (Rev 12:10-11). Do you discern the voice that whispers

“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Prov. 28:13) None of us are immune from making poor choices in our lives. David made a number of seemingly minor choices that snowballed into an avalanche of suffering, shame and tragedy. It started when he chose to stay

“Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers’”

“Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account” (Phil 4:17). The apostle Paul had a tent-making business. However, over time, it was evident that more and more of his time was being given to vocational ministry activities. That required him to receive income

“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds” (Prov. 27:23). Identifying and meeting the needs of customers is key to any successful marketing venture. Many years ago Coca-Cola decided to introduce a new Coke. They conducted research among loyal customers to determine if the new taste would be

“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ” (Philem 6-7). There is a strong correlation between those who publicly share their faith with others and an increase in spiritual growth for that individual. In my own

“Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent” (Ex 33:11). An organization cannot grow without a trusted and skilled second in command or “number two” man or woman. Joshua was Moses’ “number two” man. He could trust him explicitly in all matters. He

“If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (Exodus 33:15). One of the great dangers in Christian service is to move from a presence-based work to operate purely on our natural skill. Once we become established in something, the daily maintenance can lead us into complacency until a

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl” (Job 31:1). In Genesis 38, we read how Judah, one of Joseph’s brothers, allowed his purity – and the staff that represented his stature and position in the community – to be taken from him. Tamar was deprived by Judah of

“Even one of their own prophets has said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth” (Titus 1:12-15). In December

“All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping [the idol] there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family” (Judg. 8:27). Israel was at war with the Midianites and the Amalekites. So God chose a humble young man, Gideon, to deliver Israel by cleansing the land of idols. After submitting a fleece to determine it

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength” (1 Cor. 1:25). Frank is a businessman who was flying overseas a few years ago. He had just completed a long trip and settled into his seat for a quiet return trip when the man

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-5). God often allows pain to ignite destiny in our lives. Without motivation, many

“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned” (Titus 3:10-11). Have you ever had to deal with a person that just wanted to argue with you, no matter

“And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith” (Matt 13:58). You can learn a lot about people in traffic. For instance, I observe a lot when I see 20 cars in one line and only 3 cars in another. The reason for the longer line is these people want

“When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed” (Neh 4:1). Leaders who attempt something greater than themselves will always get attacked and it often comes from those who have a vested interest in what you are changing. Nehemiah was rebuilding the ancient wall of Jerusalem. It was