The Lord will guarantee a blessing on everything you do. Deuteronomy 28:8 (NLT) Learning to know Jesus is incredibly powerful. You see, knowing Jesus includes understanding that He makes you right with God. You can’t earn this right standing, it’s actually impossible, and this is why Jesus so strongly came against the judgmental attitude of the religious people of His time. When Christians look down their noses at other Christians and compare who is better behaved than the next, they really don’t understand what Jesus did for us. Right standing with God is a gift. And when you increase your understanding of what this gift really means, you become truly free. When you teach people about Jesus this way, it’s powerful and people flock to …

People cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT) God-moments are all around you, and can happen everywhere you go. God arranges coincidences for you every day. He knew before the world began where you would be and when, so it’s no chance happening when you run into certain people who need your help. Actually, He arranges these God-opportunities for you all the time. For example, He might set you up in a certain line in the grocery store so you can talk to one young girl who is having a particularly frustrating day. When you encourage her, she will probably be floored by the coincidence. She won’t be able to believe that someone would go out of …

Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly. John 7:24 (NLT) I travel a lot and enjoy meeting new people along the way. One day, I had a great conversation with a lady who was sitting beside me on a plane. She was very well dressed and well-spoken, and as we talked I found out that she held a prominent position in a very large, successful company. Actually, I discovered later that she was in the top two percent of the wealthiest people in her country. As we talked, the topic of faith came up and she mentioned that she was a Christian, but that she couldn’t stand going to church. It’s so unfortunate that she felt she couldn’t find a church she could …

You are the light of the world….let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14–16 (NLT) There’s a purpose behind your success. It’s people. God didn’t give you the success and influence you have just so you could look good and take all the credit. If you’re blessed with financial success, it’s not just so you can buy triple of everything you can’t use. If you’re blessed with great relationships, it’s not just so you can fill up your calendar with social events. Enjoy your money, career, influence, talents, wisdom and whatever else you are blessed with, but don’t forget your purpose to bring others with you on your journey to getting to better …

Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. Matthew 16:18 (NLT) God loves every person in the world. He wants to bring each of them into relationship with Him, and Jesus explained His plan to do this in our verse today. You see, God’s heart is to bring more people into His family, and Jesus’ plan for doing that is His church. Some would say that church is unnecessary, but Jesus cares deeply about His church. In fact, according to scripture, it’s the only thing He said He was building. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus told us to pursue God’s Kingdom first instead …