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There's something almost comical about denying yourself a cheeseburger in the name of spiritual discipline while simultaneously feasting on somebody else's business. We tend to think of fasting as giving something up. Food. Sugar. Alcohol. Social media. Coffee—which, depending on the person, may require more faith than moving a mountain. We abstain from something we enjoy because we want to create space for God, sharpen our spiritual awareness, practice self-control, or remind ourselves that our appetites don't have to control us. And all of that can be meaningful.
The Lord looks down from heaven…to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.Psalm 14:2 ESV I hear a call from heaven. A simple yet clear charge coming from a Father who is searching. He is looking for those with the heart of Samuel – those who love His presence and will take the time to simply be with Him. Those who want to know Him – not just get a word from Him. At a time when so many of us are looking for answers about who to trust, who to listen to, and what to believe, I sense the Father calling us back to the secret place. It is only when we have been with Him that things begin to make sense. Those who truly know Him will carry more than His words or message. They will carry something of His heart – a heart that burns with holiness and purity. Those who have been with God will bear the unm
One of the biggest shifts we all need to make is realizing that God never places us somewhere by accident. Every assignment in your life—your work, your business, your family, your ministry, even the relationships He's entrusted to you—is there for a reason. You're not just there to succeed, survive, or make it through. You're there because God intends to accomplish something through you. I think we often underestimate what an assignment really is. We see a job. God sees a place where His Kingdom can advance. We see a difficult relationship. God sees an opportunity to bring healing. We see a business decision. God sees an opportunity to establish wisdom, integrity, and blessing.
The people of God were crying out for help. The oppression of the Midianites was overwhelming. Though they were experiencing the consequences of turning away from God, He responded with mercy. He felt compassion for the very people who had rejected Him. In answer to their cries, God raised up Gideon (Judges 6). The story of God calling Gideon is fascinating. Gideon was threshing wheat when the Angel of the Lord came and sat down beside him. He spoke to Gideon, assured him that the Lord was with him, and called him a "mighty warrior."
Struggling to know if it's God's voice or your own thoughts? This practical discernment checklist breaks down the difference between ego, intellect, and hearing God clearly. It's not always obvious. Sometimes what feels like leading is really just momentum — a passing thought, a bread crumb I've extrapolated into a mandate. Sometimes it's an opinion wearing spiritual clothes: something I want, or don't want, dressed up as discernment. And sometimes it's a charismatic expectation — the assumption that God will simply come to me, speak to me, without my having to go anywhere for it.
How many of you know that it's easy to check the boxes. Do the right things. Say the right words. Follow the right steps. But here's the truth that changed everything for me as I've traveled the world sharing the Gospel: God isn't after behavior modification — He's after heart transformation. From the fields of Southeast Asia to pastor's conferences in Africa to the pouring rain in Argentina, I've watched people encounter Jesus and walk away completely different — not because they tried harder, but because the Holy Spirit did what only He can do. Sometimes, evangelical Christians don't always talk about the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit is incredible, humble, and helps Christians all over the world.
Set my spirit free so that I may worship You. Set my spirit free so that I may praise Your name. Let all bondage go and let deliverance flow. Set my spirit free to worship You! Close to fifty years ago, I visited a church that was Spirit-filled. I was in dire need of deliverance at the time, and because of the powerful anointing on the praise and worship, I was overcome with the conviction of the Holy Spirit. We used to sing songs of praise that would stay with me throughout the day. I would wake up with a song in my mind. A
There is a kind of person we have learned to admire. The one who does not stop. The one who is first to arrive and last to leave. The one whose discipline looks like devotion and whose endurance looks like strength. For most of my life I was trying to be that person. I believed that if I pushed hard enough and long enough, I would arrive somewhere worth arriving at. Rest felt like a luxury I had not yet earned. Recovery felt like a confession that I was weak. So I kept moving, certain that the moving itself was the proof of my worth. What I did not understand then is something I see clearly now.
Have you ever felt trapped by your past? You know life could be different—freer, healthier, full of hope—but something is not allowing your turnaround. What if God reveals to you the secret to your turnaround? It's not hidden from you on purpose by Him, but the enemy hides it because it brings deliverance. It's simple, scriptural, and yours—if you take responsibility for your heart. But why do you want your turnaround so much… yet hesitate? You long to escape the past dictating your future. You feel stuck because of guilt, shame, and condemnation. Maybe you made a big mistake when you were younger out of ignorance, but it's still haunting you today.
Loneliness is no respecter of persons. It can strike young and old, married and unmarried, male and female, rich and poor, extrovert and introvert. For some, loneliness may result from life circumstances that isolate and prevent us from cultivating relationships in the ways we'd like. For others, loneliness can be present despite being around other people regularly. In both cases, there can be a deep sense of feeling unseen, unknown, unloved, and disconnected from others, which can fuel anxiety, shame, or depression. As Christians, how do we understand loneliness from a biblical perspective to orient ourselves in this painful providence?
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