You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5 (NKJV) On a trip to Israel, I visited the Temple Mount, one of the most important religious sites in Jerusalem. Over the years, several temples have been demolished and rebuilt on top of a foundation believed to be created in Solomon’s time. As I looked at the ancient construction, it made me realize that we need to think like the leaders of old. They weren’t just concerned with their generation; they built things that would truly stand the test of time. I’m not saying that we need to build physical structures that last for centuries. After …

And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you—and more [besides] will be given to you who hear. Mark 4:24 (AMPC) God’s Word is so potent that as you meditate on it, your very desires and motives begin to change. But many people don’t understand this meditative process. Meditation goes deeper than reciting verses or reading something over and over. Words are the language of the mind, but the language of the heart is images and emotion. What does that look like? It takes imagination. You could look at Nehemiah 8:10, which says “the joy of the Lord is my …

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:8 (NLT) Wherever Jesus went, the Kingdom of God dominated. The sick were healed, peace entered the room and darkness had to leave. Jesus invites us to live in this kingdom too. How do we do this? The only way is to understand the power of focus. We need to engage in something I call the meditative process. It’s something that no one else can do for you. Many people know God’s Word well from an intellectual standpoint. But faith doesn’t come from the head, it comes from the heart. What you focus …

Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?” Mark 4:13 (NLT) In Mark 4, Jesus told a parable that He said was the key to understanding the rest of His teachings—the story of the farmer scattering seed. This parable has been taught countless times, but if we’re not careful we can miss the stunning truths within it. Today I’m going to focus on one in particular. God is not the farmer. You are. In other words, you are responsible for what you plant in your heart. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our heart, which means that job is under our control. Whatever is in your heart is determining your future. …

But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. John 24:15 (NLT) Much of your life up to this point has been determined by your upbringing, surroundings and circumstances. Especially as children, we aren’t in control of the many things that influence our “default settings.” While you may not be fully responsible for where you are today, you do have a responsibility to decide where you’re going to go from here. If you don’t make that decision, you’ll continue going the same way you’ve always gone. So, what do you want in life? This is where people get hung up on destiny, thinking they have to figure out the one thing they’re supposed to do. Now, God has given …