For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3 (NIV) Elvis Presley died in 1977, yet some say they’ve seen him since. How can we explain this? Maybe they saw a lookalike or impersonator. Who knows? One thing is for sure though. Every single sighting was an illusion. Elvis is gone. In the same way, your old nature is gone. If you’ve given your life to Christ, you’ve become a new creation. So why continue to live like the old you? Many Christians still think of themselves as that old self who has the same inability to overcome bad habits. They think they need to try to become “good,” but the more they try, the more they feel defeated. …

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV) You need to know that God approves of you. Even if you had great parents who gave you tons of encouragement, you’ll sense something is missing if you don’t realize that God loves and believes in you. So, how do you know God approves of you? Let me give you an analogy. My dad passed away suddenly a few years ago. One of the last things he said to me was that he was proud of me. He was always cheering me on and telling me he believed in me. Now that he’s gone, how can I get that …

Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind…put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22–24 (NKJV) In the past few days we’ve looked at how to fulfill your God-given potential. Today, I’d like to sum it all up: Get connected to God for an incredible life. The key to walking out your potential lies with staying connected to God. Now first let me clear something up. The key to change isn’t to analyze your past until you have everything figured out. Let’s think this through. Second Corinthians 5:17 teaches that you are a new creation. You weren’t …

All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. John 6:37 (NIV) Over the past few days, we’ve been on a series talking about how you can achieve your potential. Today let’s talk about something that keeps many people’s potential locked away: the fear of rejection. When Adam and Eve were in the garden, their relationship with God caused them to walk in confidence and faith. They got their power and ability from God. But when they disconnected from God, they discovered rejection and fear. When God came looking for them in the garden, He called for them, but they didn’t answer. They were hiding. They had never before feared rejection from God, and …

This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Matthew 17:5(NIV) My wife Sally and I have five kids, and an amazing thing took place when each one was born. Before my first child was born, I didn’t think I could ever love anyone else as much as I loved Sally. But the moment I set eyes on that baby girl, it was like my heart doubled in capacity. I didn’t have to share the love I had for Sally with this baby. Sally didn’t suddenly get half as much love as she did before. And when our second child was born, it’s not as if my love were split into thirds. No, my heart expanded each time to love that …