Nearly everywhere I go, I meet someone who is going through a really difficult time. I’ve faced difficult times and you probably have also. Have you ever wondered what is really going on behind the scenes when life becomes grueling? The Bible says: “He (God) sits as a refiner and purifier of silver” (Malachi 3:3). [...]
I recall a visit to Pilanesberg Park, a South African game preserve. A few years earlier, the survival of the white rhinoceros in the game park had been threatened. Several of the endangered rhinos had been found slaughtered. The game wardens tracked the remaining rhinos by placing video cameras in strategic locations to record any [...]
The days in which we live are the best of times and worst of times. In 2013 while ministering in five continents, I found a lack of the fear of the Lord, economic problems and corruption in many places. But everywhere I went, I also witnessed fresh signs of the kingdom of God expanding in [...]
This week we pause from the normalcy of life and focus on the birth of Jesus—our Savior and King. For all who believe in Him, the true celebration of Christmas is the birth of our Lord. Norman Vincent Peale once said; “I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas [...]
Zig Ziglar once said: “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” For inspiration, check out these 7 ways to get motivated each day. 1 – Have a purpose greater than yourself. That’s why it’s important to have a close relationship with God. He runs the [...]
Do you feel like your life is on hold? Are your unfulfilled dreams fading? You are not alone. God has not forgotten your dream. He is working behind-the-scenes in ways you do not see. God sees a beautiful diamond inside each of us, but it takes time for Him to cut out the impurities in our [...]
Failure is an event. Failure is not who you are. Thomas Edison said, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” A friend of mine played high school football. In one game, his team lost by one point. The fans blamed him for the loss and vandalized his home by scrawling [...]
Snoopy from Charlie Brown fame was sitting in his doghouse grumbling to himself on Thanksgiving Day. Everyone else in the house was eating mashed potatoes, turkey filling and other scrumptious food while he was stuck with his dog biscuits. Then he got a revelation that changed his attitude. He said, “Come to think of it, [...]
“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all,” said author Dale Carnegie. Remembering this helps me to not quit when the going gets tough. I have also learned some other pointers that have helped me to [...]
Twenty years ago I wanted to quit. I felt like a complete failure in life and in church leadership. I was the senior pastor of a mega-church that had started with only twenty-five people about twelve years earlier. Although I knew I had clearly heard from God to start the church and we experienced His [...]
