Second Timothy 2:4 tells us that “no soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits” (ESV). Too many people spend their days entangled in civilian affairs, occasionally visiting the battlefield to relieve their guilt. It’s time we stop visiting the battle and start fighting relentlessly.

The way of the Spirit is not a gentle downhill grade. Often, walking with the Spirit is an uphill trudge through all sorts of distractions and difficulties. But while the path is winding and difficult, you are constantly moving in a particular direction, and that direction is set by the leading of the Spirit. At some point along the way, you agreed

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? (Rom. 9:20–21) Did Paul really just say that? Does the Potter have the right to do whatever He

Don’t hide your fears. Admit them, first to yourself, and then to God (who knows all of them already yet desires to have us share our fears with Him). As you come to Him, be honest about how you fear disappointing people more than quenching His Spirit, or how you don’t really trust Him to come through on His promises, or whatever else you may be

“No one is good—except God alone” (Luke 18:19).

“Who do

LUKEWARM PEOPLE give money to charity and to the church … as long as it doesn’t impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right? “King David replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is

know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (Rev. 3:1). “Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have

would you really be content if we filled up the amphitheater a couple of times a weekend and had ten thousand people at the church? Would you be happy with that at the end of your life? Knowing you, I don’t think you’d be content. Wouldn’t it be better if you could help create a more reproducible model of church that wasn’t so dependent on your