Humility Builds Relationships

“Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. . . . You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.” Philippians 2:3, 5-6 (NLT)

The ability to be humble is a relationship builder. Humility is when I honor others above myself instead of demanding or clinging to my rights. 

Pride, on the other hand, destroys relationships—and it shows up in a lot of different ways. It can make me critical, judgmental, competitive, stubborn, and unforgiving. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin” (NCV).

Pride is also self-deceiving. When I have a problem with pride, I struggle to see it in myself. But everyone else can see it in me!

What does pride look like in a relationship? One, I always offer advice but never ask for it. Two, I can’t admit when I've had a tough week. Everybody else is saying, “Yeah, this last week was tough.” But I can’t seem to admit I have any problems.

But how does humility play out in a relationship? I need to take notice of the five relationship builders in 1 Peter 3:8: “Live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble” (GW). The first four are really built on the fifth one: Be humble. This verse is an excellent model for relationships.

How does humility happen in life? It happens by letting Jesus control my thoughts, heart, attitudes, and reactions. Growing in humility has to include Jesus.

The basic law of relationships is this: I tend to become like the people I spend time with. If I spend time with grumpy people, I get grumpier. If I spend time with happy people, I get happier. If I want to have more humility, spend time with Jesus Christ in prayer and reading his Word. Just talk to him. He is humble and wants a relationship with me.

Growing in humility may seem like a tall order, but it’s possible with Jesus.So I need to take the first step toward humility and become a relationship builder today. 

In summary:

Humility is essential for building strong relationships, as modeled by Jesus in Philippians 2—though He was God, He chose humility over status. In contrast, pride damages relationships by making me critical, stubborn, and blind to my own faults. True humility means valuing others above myself and is the foundation for traits like compassion, harmony, and love. I grow in humility by spending time with Jesus, allowing Him to shape my thoughts, attitudes, and actions. As I become more like Him, I will naturally become a better relationship builder.

 

Three Lessons to Help Keep Me in the Race

“An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-26 (TLB)

I need to consider that I'm in a race.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-26, “In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win” (TLB).

While I'm running my race, I don’t want to get sidelined or run off into a ditch. I want to make it to the finish line and win the prize.

Just like the soldier, the athlete has three things to teach me about being and doing my best.

1. I must intend to win.
This is the difference in being a casual Christian and a committed Christian. Is there a difference between a competitive golfer and a casual golfer? The committed golfer is playing to win. The casual golfer is just having fun during his time off. The difference is the degree of seriousness.

If I'm going to win in life, it’s not going to happen by accident or without effort. How serious am I about being who God made me to be?

2. I must discipline myself.
No athlete becomes a professional athlete without training. There are no shortcuts to maturity. There are no shortcuts to greatness.

What are some things I can do without so that I can spend more time with God, give more, serve more, and be more of what God wants me to be?

3. I must stay focused on the reward.
I can handle enormous pain and discipline in my life if I realize there’s a purpose for it and a payoff at the end.

The Message is paraphrase says in Hebrews 12:2, “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.”

This encourages me to stay focused on the prize: an eternity with Jesus Christ!

In summary:

My life is like running a race, emphasizing the need for purpose, discipline, and focus. Just as athletes train and sacrifice to win a temporary prize, Christ followers are called to live with intentionality for an eternal reward. Paul urges me to "run straight to the goal with purpose in every step" (1 Corinthians 9:26), highlighting that spiritual success doesn’t come by accident—it requires effort and commitment. Like a serious athlete, I must be intentional about my spiritual growth and avoid distractions that could sideline me from God’s calling and purpose for my life.

Three lessons stand out from the athlete’s example: First, I must intend to win—approaching my faith with seriousness and dedication, not casually. Second, I must discipline myself, understanding that spiritual maturity comes through consistent effort and sacrifice. And third, I must stay focused on the reward—an eternal life with Christ. Hebrews 12:2 reminds me to keep my eyes on Jesus, who endured everything for the joy set before Him. When I remember what’s at stake and Who I'm running toward, I will find strength to keep going, even through hardships.

Trusting God to Guide My Decisions

“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3 (NIV)

When I'm afraid of making the wrong decision, it creates stress in my life.

But God has an antidote to indecision. Psalm 23:3 says, “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” (NIV). The way to handle the stress of decision-making is to let God guide me.

There have been sometimes that I’ve tried this. I've asked God to guide me, but then I became more confused than ever before. I still couldn’t figure it out, and I wondered why knowing God’s will is so difficult.

Is God playing games with me? What I'm learning is he is not! God wants to guide me. He wants me to know his will more than I want to know. But sometimes I look for the wrong thing when I'm trying to find God’s will. We all do this. 

At times I look for a feeling or a formula or recipe to follow. There are times when I'd like a magical approach and look for God to show me some type of fantastic sign.

But these ways only lead to frustration and can cause me to miss God’s will.

God doesn’t want me confused, and he doesn’t want me stressed over making a decision. He wants me to ask him for guidance before I make a decision and then trust him and his goodness once the decision is made.

When I do, he sets me free from second-guessing myself.

James 1:6-8 says, “When you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do” (NLT).

Here’s the good news: Even if the future looks uncertain, I don’t have to feel unsettled or stressed or afraid. God is stable, and I can trust his guidance. 

When I unequivocally trust God in uncertain times—in all times—he will give me everything I need to make wise decisions.

God will be there guiding me every step of the way. This is his promise, and I can believe it to be true: “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”

In summary:

When I’m faced with decisions, fear of choosing the wrong path can lead to stress and confusion. Psalm 23:3 reminds me that God offers clear guidance along the right paths—not for my comfort alone, but for his name’s sake. Often, I seek a feeling, a formula, or even a miraculous sign to discern God’s will, which only leads to more frustration. But God isn’t playing games; he genuinely wants to guide me. The issue isn’t his silence—it’s often that I’m looking for answers in the wrong places.

God’s direction doesn’t come through confusion but through trust. He invites me to ask for guidance and then believe in his goodness. When I put full faith in him, he frees me from the burden of second-guessing. As James 1:6-8 explains, divided loyalty leads to instability. But when I trust God fully—even when the future is uncertain—he provides the wisdom I need. God is stable, faithful, and always guiding. His promise is clear: he will lead me on the right path when I trust him.

Results of an “I-Centered” Life

“Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” James 3:16 (NLT)

When “I” am at the center of everything in my life, that’s sin. 

I have an “I” problem: I want it my way; I will do my thing; I have to take care of myself first; I don’t have time for others; I am the most important thing.

The danger of I-focused living is pointed out by the middle letter of “sin” is “I.” At the root of sin is self-centeredness, and the middle letter of “pride” just also happens to be “I.” Where else does this apply? All “crime” is self-centered. A lot of social problems in the world today are caused by putting “I” at the center and saying, “I am better than you.”

What other I-centered sins happen when I start living a self-focused life? I start to “whine” and “criticize.” I turn “envious,” “deceitful,” “defiant,” and “merciless”—because I want grace for myself but not for others.

What are the results of living a self-focused life? Guilt, fatigue, pessimism, hostility, and emptiness—all with “I” at the center.

What is the only antidote to an I-focused life? I have to change my focus.

I was made by God and for God. And I will only find peace and purpose when I focus my life on him.  The Bible promises, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT).

In summary:

When life revolves around “I,” (or "me") it leads to disorder, sin, and broken relationships. Self-centeredness is at the root of jealousy, pride, and selfish ambition, causing everything from personal dissatisfaction to widespread social issues. The focus on self breeds attitudes like envy, criticism, and defiance, leaving behind a trail of guilt, stress, and emptiness.

The antidote to this “I” problem is shifting focus from self to God. I was created not to center life on myself but on the One who made me. Real peace and purpose come when I align my thoughts with God and trust Him fully. As Isaiah 26:3 promises, keeping my mind fixed on God is the key to lasting peace.

Love like Jesus

“Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, ‘How can I help?’” Romans 15:2 (MSG)

If I'm driving and get a flat tire, and a well-known celebrity drives by, nobody expects them to stop and help me. They’re likely too busy or too important to help me with my problems.

But those aren’t kingdom values—those are worldly values. Jesus said that, if you want to be great, you must be the servant of all. The more I give of myself and serve other people, the greater I am in God’s kingdom.

What does it mean to love like Jesus? The Message paraphrase says, “Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, ‘How can I help?’” (Romans 15:2 MSG).

In fact, one way to serve like Jesus is by serving others as if I'm serving Jesus himself. Look for how Jesus might, in a way, be disguised as a hurting person in my neighborhood. He might be at the coffee station on Monday morning. He might be at the gas station. He might be behind me in line at the grocery store. He might be the most unlovable person I know who is carrying a deep hurt. If I want to serve Jesus, then I need to start by showing up for the hurting people around me. 

The Living Bible paraphrase says, “When God’s children are in need, you be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night” (Romans 12:13).

Many people in my church, neighborhood, and even family are single parents working to put food on the table, widows who are lonely in their empty houses, or students who are overwhelmed.

I need to consider, How can I love them like Jesus loves them?

In summary:

Romans 15:2 (MSG) encourages me to prioritize the well-being of others by asking, "How can I help?" This challenges our societal norms that often place personal convenience above communal responsibility. Jesus modeled this servant leadership, demonstrating that true greatness in God's kingdom is achieved through selfless service. By adopting this mindset, I can align my actions with Christ's example, seeking opportunities to assist those in need, regardless of their status or my own schedules. 

Romans 12:13 (from TLB translation) advises, "When God’s children are in need, you be the one to help them out." This directive encourages me to be attentive to the struggles of those around me. By actively seeking ways to serve, I can embody Christ's love, fostering a community where compassion and assistance can be my new default. 

My Biggest Problem and What to Do about It

“It is your evil that has separated you from your God. Your sins cause him to turn away from you, so he does not hear you.” Isaiah 59:2 (NCV)

Today, most cultures don’t think sin is ugly. In fact, many people think sin is fun!

Think about entertainment media. TV shows, social media memes, and movies often use sin for humor. This is Satan’s strategy: to get you to laugh at the same things that put Jesus on the cross. Satan disguises sin to make it look attractive. Rarely in media do you see sin’s consequences. 

If you want to know how ugly sin really is, look at the cross. Jesus’ suffering shows how much it takes to pay for my sins.

Sin has all sorts of consequences in life! Here are three of them:

Sin alienates me from God. Why? Because God is holy, and I am not. Isaiah 59:2 says, “It is your evil that has separated you from your God. Your sins cause him to turn away from you, so he does not hear you” (NCV). Sin always leaves estrangement in its wake, even between me and God. 

Sin creates significant stress in life. One of the greatest sources of stress is unrecognized and unresolved guilt. King David said, “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear” (Psalm 38:4 NIV). Holding on to sin takes an emotional toll. Breaking God’s laws leads to worry, fear, guilt, and insecurity.

Sin condemns me. When I violate God’s laws, there’s always a penalty—in both self-condemnation and judgment from a righteous God. Psalm 7:11 says, “God is a righteous judge and always condemns the wicked” (GNT). 

I may think my biggest problem is a relationship conflict, health issue, or trouble finding a job. But the reality is, my biggest problem is that I'm at war with God.

That’s why I often get frustrated! That’s why I can struggle to sleep at night. That’s why I'm stressed out. I wasn't made to live out of harmony with my Creator, who loves me. He made me, and he sent his Son to die for me. He wants me to be in harmony with him.

I need to turn around from and repent of my sin today—and every day—so that I can be at peace with God.

In summary:

Sin is often portrayed as harmless or even entertaining in today's culture, especially through various media that highlight its humor while ignoring its serious consequences. This trivialization is a tactic to desensitize us to the true nature of sin. However, the Bible teaches that sin has profound effects: it alienates us from God, introduces significant stress into our lives, and brings condemnation. Isaiah 59:2 emphasizes that our iniquities create a separation between us and God, hindering our relationship with Him. Similarly, Psalm 38:4 illustrates the overwhelming burden of guilt, comparing it to a load too heavy to bear. ​

Recognizing the gravity of sin is crucial. It not only disrupts my spiritual connection with God but also affects my mental and emotional well-being. Unresolved guilt can lead to stress, anxiety, and a sense of condemnation. Therefore, it's essential to acknowledge my sins, seek forgiveness, and strive for a life aligned with God's teachings. By doing so, I can restore my relationship with God and experience the peace that comes from living in harmony with His will.​

Recovering My Vision with Prayer

“They said to him, ‘Lord, let our eyes be opened.’ And Jesus . . . touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.” Matthew 20:33-34 (ESV)

What is my perspective these recent days? Am I living with a sense of contentment and gratitude or am I stuck in a negative pattern of thinking and have lost my sense of direction. God wants me to recover my vision. But it will only happen with prayer.

Am I into a habit, hurt, or hang-up, and I can’t see my way out of it. Maybe it’s an unhealthy work habit, a bad attitude, or a way of living. No matter what it is, with prayer, I can recover my vision and see things I’ve never seen before.

There’s a story in the Bible about two blind men who recovered their sight when they prayed. The Bible says, “And when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, ‘Lord, have mercy on us!’” (Matthew 20:30 ESV). This was a passionate prayer.

But the crowd told the blind men to be silent. Yet they prayed even louder, and Jesus stopped and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Matthew 20:32 ESV). I love that. Jesus let them set the agenda. And he’ll let me do the same. He wants me to tell him what I need. And any time I tell Jesus something, I'm praying.

Then they answered, “‘Lord, let our eyes be opened.’ And Jesus . . . touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him” (Matthew 20:33-34 ESV).

Doesn’t that sound like a good pattern? Pray, recover, and follow Jesus. When I start looking at life from God’s viewpoint, I'll see things I've never seen before. I'll see my spouse, friends, family, coworkers, and even strangers as valuable, acceptable, and forgivable. I'll also see those things about myself. My entire perspective changes.

The Bible says in Mark 6:34, “When Jesus . . . saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (NIV). That’s the way Jesus sees people—with compassion. And he wants to recover my compassion for myself, my loved ones, my community, my country, and the rest of the world.

Today I will ask God to restore my vision so that I can follow him and see people the way Jesus does.

In summary:

Two blind men demonstrate unwavering faith by persistently calling out to Jesus for mercy, despite the crowd's attempts to silence them. Their heartfelt plea, "Lord, let our eyes be opened," moves Jesus to compassion, leading Him to restore their sight immediately. This narrative underscores the power of earnest prayer and the readiness of Jesus to respond to those who seek Him with sincerity.​

Similarly, in Mark 6:34, Jesus observes a large crowd and is deeply moved by their plight, recognizing them as "sheep without a shepherd." His compassion compels Him to teach them many things, addressing their spiritual needs. These passages collectively highlight the importance of approaching Jesus with genuine faith and the transformative impact of His compassionate response, guiding believers to view others through a lens of empathy and understanding. 

Approach Jesus with Persistent Faith: The blind men did not let the crowd's discouragement deter them; they persistently called out to Jesus for mercy. In your own life, don't be discouraged by obstacles or opposition when seeking Jesus' help. Approach Him with unwavering faith and persistence. ​

This encourages me to be specific in my prayers, to trust in Jesus' compassion and power, to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and to see others through Jesus' eyes.

God Is Never in a Hurry

“I waited patiently for the LORD's help; then he listened to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1 (GNT)

God isn’t in a hurry with my spiritual growth. I may think he’s in a hurry, but he’s not. He’s using my current circumstances to develop my character and make me stronger. He’s patient.

Most people, including myself, are impatient. Many of our problems are caused by our inability to wait. We get into debt because we don’t know how to delay gratification, buying things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t even like. We buy all we can, can all we get, and then sit on the can. 

The good news is that, with prayer, I can recover from problems caused by my impatience. The Bible says, “I waited patiently for the LORD‘s help; then he listened to me and heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1 GNT).

Remember: God is never in a hurry. There isn’t an example of Jesus running anywhere in the Bible? In fact, it took him three days to go a mile and a half to get to his friend, Lazarus, who was very sick. And by the time Jesus got to him, it was too late—Lazarus had already died. 

But Jesus had a bigger plan in mind. He didn’t just want to heal Lazarus—he wanted to raise him from the dead. He wanted to do a miracle. And that’s exactly what happened. Jesus walked up to Lazarus’ tomb, told them to roll the stone away, and said, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43 NLT). And Lazarus did! 

Sometimes, a situation can get so bad that I feel tempted to take matters into my own hands. But don’t take shortcuts. Instead, trust in God’s perfect timing and expect a miracle! The Bible says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12 NIV).

God already knows what he’s going to do in my life next month, next year, and in the next decade. His timing is perfect, and his plan for my life is good and worth waiting for.

In summary:

God isn’t in a rush with our spiritual growth—He works patiently and purposefully, using our current challenges to build character and strength. While we often struggle with impatience, trying to force outcomes or take shortcuts, God invites us to trust in His perfect timing. Psalm 40:1 reminds me that when I wait patiently for the Lord, He hears me. My impatience can lead to poor decisions and unnecessary stress, but prayer and faith can help me recover and stay grounded in God's process.

Jesus Himself modeled this divine patience—He didn’t hurry, even when His friend Lazarus was gravely ill. Instead, He arrived after Lazarus had died and performed a greater miracle by raising him from the dead. This shows that delays are not denials, but opportunities for God to work in unexpected and powerful ways. Rather than rushing ahead, I'm called to be joyful in hope, patient in difficulty, and faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12). Trusting in God's timing leads to deeper growth and even greater miracles.

Change Happens in God’s Power, Not Mine

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

To experience God’s hope and comfort, I need to see who he is in order to see who I really am—it’s only then I’ll be able to see how he can change me.

Change often triggers two negative reactions. First, “I don’t have the time or energy to change.” Life feels too busy—too many responsibilities, too many tasks, too much to handle. Second, “Who am I kidding? God can’t change me. I’ve tried a hundred times, failed, and feel like I’ve disappointed everyone, including God.”

Both reactions come from the false belief that change depends entirely on me. That mindset is exhausting and discouraging. If I have to sustain my own motivation to change every day, I’ll eventually give up. But God offers a better way.

Isaiah 40:28-31 reminds us where true power comes from: “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (NLT).

Real change isn’t about my power. It’s about God’s power working in me. Picture this: my efforts are like a hummingbird whose little wings are fluttering so fast. I flitter here for hope, there for hope, up for hope, down for hope—trying to get hope in my life.  I'm worn out by trying to get to a place of hope on my own.

But God’s power is like an eagle, soaring on the updrafts of wind. Eagles don’t struggle—they rise because they are designed to catch the wind. Similarly, God designed my soul to soar on the updraft of his love, not my own striving.

To tap into his power, I must stop flitting from one place to another in search of hope and instead say, “God, I need you. I trust you moment by moment.” That’s when I'll feel the updraft of his love, strength, and power.

Philippians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (NLT). God gives me the desire to change, even when I don’t feel it, and he also gives me the power to take the next step. Change happens when I stop relying on my own strength and start trusting in God’s strength and power to transform  life.

Hope doesn’t come not from trying harder, but from trusting deeper. God wants me to remember this truth and to continually turn back to him because he is the one who gives me strength to soar.  

In summary:

True change doesn’t come from my own effort but from God working in me.

Philippians 2:13 reminds us that God not only gives us the desire to do what pleases Him, but also the power to do it. When change feels overwhelming or impossible, it’s usually because I think it all depends on me. That mindset is exhausting and unsustainable.

But God never grows tired or weary (Isaiah 40:28–31). He gives strength to those who trust in Him. Rather than flitting through life like a tired hummingbird chasing hope, God invites me to soar like an eagle—lifted by His strength, not by my striving.

The key is to stop relying on my own power and instead trust God, moment by moment. Real hope and lasting transformation come not from trying harder, but from trusting deeper in God's strength and love.

To Reach My Dream, I Need to Dare to Be Different

“Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.” Genesis 6:9 (NLT)

If I want to fulfill my destiny—if I want to achieve my God-given dream, vision, or ambition—I must dare to be different from the culture.

Until I settle this, I'll never reach my dreams. I can’t fit in and be different or make a difference at the same time. I have to decide: “I’m willing to be different from the culture”—because the culture is headed one way, and God is heading another.

In Noah’s time, humanity hit rock bottom. It was morally bankrupt. 

Genesis 6:12 says, “God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt” (NLT).

Sound familiar? Genesis 6:5-6 adds, “The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. . . . It broke his heart” (NLT). 

Just 10 generations into human history, the world was already consumed by sin and evil.

What’s the trend today? Is the world moving toward God or away from him? It’s clear—it’s moving away. Jesus warned: “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day” (Luke 17:26 NLT).

Culture will only worsen as we approach Christ’s return.

Amid this darkness, God saw one bright spot: Noah. In The Message paraphrase, Genesis 6:8 says, “But Noah was different. GOD liked what he saw in Noah” (MSG).

That phrase—“but Noah”—saved the world. Would God save the world because of my faithfulness? If God looked at today’s corruption, would he see a bright spot and say, “But Mark”?

Could God save the world through me?

Only two people have saved the world: Noah physically and Jesus spiritually. 

What set Noah apart? He wasn’t concerned with others’ opinions, approval, or trends. He dared to be different to fulfill his destiny—and so must I. If I blend in with the crowd, I can’t fulfill the calling God has placed on my life.

Great people march to a different beat. They’re unafraid to stand out. Remember this: I can only make a difference by being different.

This is what God desires: to look at your life and smile, saying, “That’s my child fulfilling their destiny.” Like Noah, live with integrity. Let your difference make a difference.

In summary:

It's important to stand apart from cultural norms to fulfill one’s God-given destiny. Using Noah as an example, it highlights how he remained righteous despite widespread corruption, earning God’s favor. The world in Noah’s time was morally bankrupt, much like today, and Jesus warned that history would repeat itself before His return. To make a difference, one must be willing to be different, resisting societal pressures and staying faithful to God’s calling. Ultimately, true impact for me will come from living with integrity and purpose, just as Noah did.

God, Help Me!

“We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for he can even raise the dead.” 2 Corinthians 1:9 (TLB)

At some point in life, I’ll find myself in need of help. When that time comes, I first need to admit that I need help. And then I need to ask God for that help. In other words, move from “I need help” to “God, help me!”

When Paul, one of the greatest men of faith, hit rock bottom, that’s what he did. In the Living Bible paraphrase, Paul says, “We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for he can even raise the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9).

Think about that. If God can raise a dead person, then he also can raise a dead career, a dead dream, or a dead hope. He specializes in turning crucifixions into resurrections. God can do miracles when we hand everything over to him.

Notice that Paul said, “We put everything into the hands of God.” Everything! This is total surrender. It’s not just saying, “God, fix my finances,” or “God, fix my relationships.” It’s giving him every part of my life—the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

Have I come to a point where I say, “God, I give you my entire life—my joys, my pains, my victories, and my failures”?

Don’t wait until you hit bottom. Don’t let life force me into surrender. 

There’s an easy way and a hard way to change. The easy way is to see the light; the hard way is to feel the heat. Unfortunately, most of us resist change until the pain becomes unbearable. I shouldn't wait for everything to fall apart before asking God for help.

The Message paraphrase of the Bible says it this way: “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule” (Matthew 5:3). When I finally let go, God will step in.

So here’s the process: First, admit I need help. Next, humbly ask God to take over. Then hand it all over—my problems, pride, pain—and watch how he can transform life.

In summary:

When life feels overwhelming, the first step is to admit that I need help and then turn to God. Paul, despite being a man of great faith, reached a point where he felt powerless. But in that moment, he completely surrendered to God, recognizing that only He could save him.

God specializes in reviving what seems lost—whether it’s a career, a dream, or hope itself. True surrender means giving everything to God, not just selective parts of life. Instead of waiting for hardship to force me into change, I should willingly hand over control to Him now.

Key Points:

✔️ Admit I need help – Recognize my limitations.

✔️ Ask God for help – Move from self-reliance to faith.

✔️ Fully surrender – Give every part of life to God.

✔️ Trust in God’s power – He can resurrect what seems lost.

✔️ Don’t wait for rock bottom – Choose to let go before life forces me to.

I'm Here, Now, for a Purpose

“Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (NIV)

A lot of people think God only calls preachers and missionaries and those who are “super spiritual.” But God’s calling is for everyone! God has called every one of us to make a difference with our lives. The problem is that some of us are not picking up the phone.

I can’t just wonder what I should do with my life or figure it out for myself. I have to ask God what he created me to do. And then, day by day, I have to look to God’s Word for confirmation that I'm doing what God wants me to do.

It’s time to answer God’s call!

Discerning a call is not just a matter of life and death like it was for Esther—it’s more important than life or death because eternity is in the balance. It's not just talking about helping people in the here and now. We’re talking about their eternal destinies. My calling includes my mission—to tell other people about the gospel, that Jesus loves them and wants to be their Savior and friend, that he died so they could know God and be with him forever.

God is working all things for his good. And I can be part of that—when I tell God that I'll go wherever he wants me to go and do whatever he wants me to do.

In Esther 4:13-14, Esther’s cousin Mordecai sends this word to her: “Do not think because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (NIV).

Mordecai knew that this young, poor, orphaned, Jewish girl had not become the queen of Persia by accident. He knew that God put her in that position “for such a time as this.”

God has a destiny for my life. He brought me to this place at this time for a purpose. If I want to know what he has called me to do, I only have to ask and listen.

In summary:

God's calling is for everyone, not just preachers. Like Esther, I am placed where I am for a reason. I must seek God’s purpose, listen, and respond. My mission includes sharing His love and making an eternal impact. Now is the time to answer His call.

My mission—to tell other people about the gospel, that Jesus loves them and wants to be their Savior and friend, that he died so they could know God and be with him forever.

Patience and Persistence Will Bring Success

“But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!” Habakkuk 2:3 (TLB)

If I don’t make plans in life, I'm just going to drift. In Genesis 24, the story of Eleazar gives helpful steps for getting where you want to go.

We’ve already learned why it’s important to:

• Determine your present position
• Describe exactly what you want
• Find a promise from God
• Ask God for help
• Identify the barriers
• Create a step-by-step plan

Here's another step: Be patient and persistent.

Accomplishing big goals in life isn’t going to happen overnight. The bigger my goal, the longer it will take. The more significant my goal, the more time and energy will be involved. Reaching goals takes time and discipline. 

Nothing great is ever accomplished without patience, persistence, determination, and endurance. I need to set big goals and spend the rest of my life going after them. 

Eleazar did this. Genesis 24:21 says, “The servant watched [Rebekah] in silence, wondering whether or not the LORD had given him success in his mission” (NLT). And Genesis 24:33 says, “Then food was served. But Abraham’s servant said, ‘I don’t want to eat until I have told you why I have come.’ ‘All right,’ Laban said, ‘tell us’” (NLT).

He was an example of great patience and persistence.

Here’s the point:  For me to reach my goals, I'm going to have to learn how to delay gratification.  

The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that successful people do things unsuccessful people are unwilling to do.

Successful people often do things they don’t feel like doing. Successful people know how to delay gratification. They do the right, tough thing before they do the fun, enjoyable thing.

The Living Bible paraphrase says, “But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!” (Habakkuk 2:3). 

God says it’s going to happen—but it’s going to take a while. One of the marks of maturity is learning the difference between no and not yet. 

And God is more interested in what I am than what I do. He’s much more interested in my character than my career. Because I'm not taking my career to heaven. I'm taking my character. So while I'm working on my goal, God is working on me.

In summary:

Achieving big goals takes time, discipline, and endurance. Success requires delayed gratification—doing the hard things first. Like Eleazar in Genesis 24, I must stay focused and trust God’s timing. Maturity means recognizing "not yet" is not "no." While I pursue my goals, God is shaping my character.

 

Don’t Drift Through Life

“This is my request. I will ask one of them, ‘Please give me a drink from your jug.’ If she says, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’—let her be the one you have selected as Isaac’s wife.” Genesis 24:14 (NLT)

In Genesis 24, Eleazar provides an example for how to be successful as you pursue the dreams God has given you.

I need to —

• Determine my present position
• Describe exactly what I want
• Find a promise from God
• Ask God for help

I must also identify the barriers between myself and my goal. Ask , “Why don’t I have it already? Why am I not who I want to be? What’s between me and this goal?” 

Write down the roadblocks. Are the obstacles—financial, educational, emotional, relational, or something else? 

Look at the roadblocks honestly. Faith does not deny reality. Faith says, “Yes, I see the problem, but I believe God is bigger than the problem.”

Once you identify the barriers, create a step-by-step plan. That’s what Eleazar did.

The Bible says, “Then he loaded ten of Abraham’s camels with all kinds of expensive gifts from his master. . . . He made the camels kneel beside a well just outside the town. It was evening, and the women were coming out to draw water. . . . ‘O LORD, God of my master Abraham,’ he prayed. ‘. . . This is my request. I will ask one of them, “Please give me a drink from your jug.” If she says, “Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!”—let her be the one you have selected as Isaac’s wife’” (Genesis 24:10-12, 14 NLT.)

What is Eleazar doing? He’s looking for a woman of character, and he’s got a plan:

1. Go to the watering well where the women hang out.
2. Set up the test to see if she will offer water to his camels too.
3. If she passes the test, give her expensive gifts.
4. Ask about her family.
5. Get invited to her home.
6. At her home, share his purpose.
7. Pop the question. 

He had a simple, step-by-step-by-step plan that he thought out in advance. 

I need to do this too. I need to think through a course of action to address the roadblocks I wrote down. If my obstacles are educational, how can I get the training I need to reach my goal? If my obstacles are relational, how can I heal a relationship to achieve my goal?

Achieving a goal is a lot of work, but the alternative is to drift through life. If you drift, life will be determined by other people—it will be done to me rather than having me direct it. So create a plan today to reach the godly goal God has given me.

In summary:

In Genesis 24:14, Eleazar provides a model for achieving God-given dreams through prayer, planning, and action.

To succeed, I must:

✅ Determine my current position

✅ Clearly define my goal

✅ Find a promise from God

✅ Pray and seek God’s guidance

✅ Identify and address roadblocks (financial, educational, emotional, etc.)

Faith acknowledges obstacles but trusts God is bigger than them.

Eleazar followed a step-by-step plan to find a wife for Isaac, ensuring he was intentional and prepared. Similarly, I need a structured plan to overcome barriers and achieve my goal, rather than drifting through life.

Take Action: Write down challenges, create a plan, and move forward with faith and diligence.

Learning to Do Exactly What God Tells Me to Do

“Noah did all that the LORD commanded him.” Genesis 7:5 (NIV)

Noah didn’t just hear God’s Word; he acted on it. He lived life according to God’s will.

Am I doing that? Do I ask, “Lord, what do you want me to do today? What do you want me to do in this meeting? What do you want me to do with this opportunity?” Noah always sought God’s guidance in his actions.

If I lived in Noah’s time and God asked me to build an ark. I'm sure I'd have some big questions. Here are four:

What’s a flood? The Bible says it had never rained before Noah’s time. Genesis 2 explains that God watered the earth from below, like morning dew. When God told Noah about a flood, it was a completely unimaginable concept.

How do you build an ark? In those days, there were no hardware stores or home depots. Noah had to cut and prepare every single piece of timber himself. That’s why it took decades to build the ark.

How do you move a massive ark to water? Noah lived far from the ocean. The Bible says the flood came not just from rain but also from underground springs bursting forth. The waters rose long after the rain stopped, solving the problem of moving the ark.

How do you gather all the animals? If God created the universe, bringing animals to Noah wasn’t a challenge. The real miracle was Noah’s obedience. Genesis 7:5 says, “And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him” (NIV).

What can I learn from Noah? God blesses obedience, even when it doesn’t make sense. Faith means trusting God when I don’t fully understand his plan. In life, I’ll face tempting shortcuts, especially during long periods of waiting or discouragement. Noah waited 120 years to see God’s plan fulfilled. His persistence reminds us that God’s timing is perfect. Don’t take shortcuts—trust and obey him completely.

“[Noah] obeyed God and built a large boat to save his family” (Hebrews 11:7 NCV). God honors unwavering faith and total obedience. When I follow his commands without compromise, he will bless me beyond my imagination.

In summary:

For me, this passage encourages living with a heart of obedience to God, even when His plans don’t fully make sense or when the path ahead seems uncertain. It challenges me to ask, “Lord, what do you want me to do today?” and to seek His guidance in every decision, big or small.

Just like Noah, I will face situations where God’s instructions seem difficult or unclear. But the message here is that God honors unwavering faith and obedience. Even if I don’t understand the full picture, trusting in His timing and following His lead without taking shortcuts is key.

In my own life, it might mean persevering through challenges or long waits, trusting that God’s plan is bigger and better than what I can see in the moment. When I choose to obey, even when it’s tough or doesn’t make sense, God will bless me in ways I can’t imagine.

Listen to the Voice of God, Not the Voices of Doubt

“It was by faith that Noah heard God’s warnings about things he could not yet see.” Hebrews 11:7 (NCV)

Voices of doubt will try to dissuade, detour, and derail me from my purpose in life. I must listen to the voice of God, not the voices of doubt.

Imagine Noah’s life—building a battleship-sized ark in his front yard while everyone else carried on with their lives. His neighbors must have thought he was crazy. “What’s this guy doing? Building the Queen Mary in his yard? Where’s the homeowner’s association?”

Even Noah’s family probably questioned him.

His sons might have said, “Dad, the ark is embarrassing. Why can’t you get a normal job? Everyone’s laughing at us!”

Could you endure that kind of ridicule? Noah did, for decades, with no encouragement. But he listened to God, not the doubters.

Dream busters will always show up in life. Critics, cynics, and even loved ones may question my God-given vision. Often, they’re wrong. 

But the biggest dream buster is often myself. The words I speak to myself matter. If I talked to my friends the way I talk to myself—saying things like, “I’m no good,” “I should’ve known better,” or “I’ll never succeed”—I wouldn’t have any friends.

The truth is, we lie to ourselves all the time. The Bible says, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9 NLT). We convince ourselves things are fine when they’re not, or hopeless when they’re not. That’s why I must listen to God—because he always tells the truth.

Hebrews 11:7 says, “It was by faith that Noah heard God’s warnings about things he could not yet see” (NCV).

Notice the word “heard.” Noah trusted what he heard from God, even though he couldn’t see the future. Similarly, I can’t see my future, but I must trust God. His Word is my guide. Faith is believing in what I can’t see—my destiny and my eternal future.

The Bible says, “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT). 

Focus on what lasts forever, not on temporary troubles. Noah’s faith was counter-cultural, standing against the disbelief around him. How did he maintain such faith? He heard God.

You might say, “I don’t hear God!” The solution? Get closer to him.

The Bible says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV). Turn off distractions. Sit quietly. Pray.

Only when I draw near to God can I truly hear his voice. Listen, and follow him. “Noah . . . walked faithfully with God” (Genesis 6:9 NIV).

In summary:

Faith requires trusting God's guidance, even when faced with doubt and ridicule. Like Noah, who built an ark despite mockery, we must focus on God's voice and not the negative voices around us. Doubters, including ourselves, can hinder our dreams, but by listening to God’s truth, we can persevere. Faith is believing in what we can't yet see, and to hear God clearly, we need to quiet distractions and draw near to Him. Trusting God's direction will help us stay focused on what truly matters—our eternal purpose.

Pain Can Make Me Better or Bitter—It’s A Choice

“So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.” 1 Peter 4:19 (NLT)

When people go through tragedy and disaster and pain, some turn to God. But others turn away from God—even when he’s offering the comfort and power they need to make it through a difficult time.

How pain affects me depends on how I choose to respond to it. I am going to let that experience make me bitter, or am I going to turn to God—and let the pain make me better?

Jesus didn’t come to explain away my pain. He came to share it.

He enters into my pain. He is a God who suffers with me and walks with me through whatever I'm going through, whether it’s emotional, physical, relational, or spiritual.

Some Christians think that it’s never God’s will for me to suffer and that if I have any pain in my life, it means I don’t have enough faith.

This is far from the truth. Sometimes I'm just going to suffer. Sometimes I'm going to have pain that is part of God’s will. The Bible says, “So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you” (1 Peter 4:19 NLT). 

Pain is inevitable. It’s a part of life, even for Christians. The choice I get to make involves whether or not I will waste my hurt. I can choose whether it will make me bitter or better.

Next time I'm experiencing pain ask God: “Are you using this pain to guide me in a new direction? Are you using this pain to spur me into action? Are you using this pain to show me what I need to work on? Are you using this pain to guard me from something more harmful? Are you using this pain to grow me and make me more like you? Lord thank you that you will never waste my pain. Please help me trust you as I follow you in faith.”

Let whatever pain I may go through guide me into the caring arms of Jesus Christ.

In summary:

Pain is inevitable, but how we respond to it shapes our growth. 1 Peter 4:19 reminds us to trust God during suffering, knowing He will never fail us. While pain is a part of life, it’s a choice to either let it make us bitter or better. Jesus shares in our pain and offers comfort, helping us grow and become more like Him. We can trust that God will use our pain for good, guiding us and teaching us through it.

How to Have Lasting Change

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 (NIV) To have lasting change, I need to refocus my mind. Specifically, I need to change my thought patterns away from what I don’t want to focus on and toward what I do want to focus on. Because whatever I focus on is what I move toward.  Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2 NIV). This is the blueprint that is needed in order to change your thought patterns:  “Do not conform” – How often do I let other people shape my life? God doesn’t want me to be like someone else; he wants me to be the person he made me to be. So don’t copy others, don’t conform, and don’t try to be like anyone else. “The pattern of this world” – Pattern means the model of everything I've learned in life. If I want to change, I have to replace the blueprint I learned in life. I need to swap out the old, unhealthy pattern with a new one modeled after the life of Christ. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” – Transformed is the same word used for metamorphosis, the process a caterpillar goes through to become a butterfly. In the same way, God wants to transform me into a completely new person by renewing my mind.  How does this happen? The Bible tells you in Ephesians 4:22-24 “to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (NIV). This means I have to do some putting off and some putting on—and the putting off has to happen before the putting on. It’s just like trying on clothes in a store. Before I can try on the new stuff, I need to take the old stuff off. I can start today by asking God to help me begin to let go of the old attitudes and thought patterns I’ve been living with. Then get ready to put on the new garments God has for me. In summary: Lasting change begins with renewing the mind. Romans 12:2 emphasizes the importance of not conforming to worldly patterns but transforming through a renewed mindset. This involves replacing old, unhealthy thought patterns with a Christ-like blueprint. The process of transformation is like metamorphosis, requiring us to first "put off" the old self before we can "put on" the new. By asking God for help, we can let go of negative attitudes and embrace new, righteous thinking.

 

To Grow, I Must Choose to Change

“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” Ephesians 4:22 (NLT) Change requires making choices. It’s not enough to dream of changing. It’s not enough to desire change. To change, I need to make a decision. I must choose to change. Change is intentional. Am I going to be any different in six months? Am I going to be better a year from now? Am I going to be healthier, stronger, and more mature? Am I going to be happier? Am I going to be more like God wants me to be? These changes will only happen if I choose to change—because change doesn’t happen accidentally. Change requires a choice! A lot of times I think we’re waiting on God to change me. No! God is waiting for me. He’s waiting on me to say, “Yes, Lord, I’m willing to make these changes.” I will need to make intentional choices in order to grow. There is no growth without change. There is no change without loss, and there is no loss without pain. If I'm going to grow, I will have to change. And change means that I let go of some old things in order to grab hold of some new things. It’s like swinging on a trapeze. The trapeze artist swings out on one bar and then has to reach out and grab the other one. At some point, he’s got to let go of the first one in order to grab the next one, or he won’t make it to the other side. If he tries to hold on to both, what happens? He gets stuck in the middle, and he will fall. I to am stuck in the middle, and falling because I haven’t let go of the old patterns, the old habits, and the old ways of thinking. I have to let go of my old ways. The Bible says, “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life” (Ephesians 4:22 NLT). In other words, let it go. Those old habits, those old hurts, those old patterns, those old sins in my life—let them go. Throw them off and trust that God is working in me “to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). In summary: Change requires intentional choices. To grow and improve, I must actively decide to make changes, as change doesn't happen by chance. It involves letting go of old habits, sins, and patterns to embrace new ways of thinking and living. Just like a trapeze artist must release one bar to grab the next, I must let go of the old to move forward. God is waiting for me to make that choice, and though change can be painful, it's necessary for growth. Ephesians 4:22 urges us to "throw off your old sinful nature" and trust that God is guiding us toward transformation. I will be intentional today, and not just think about it, but actually do it.