For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 13:34
This particular passage has been preached for hundreds of years concerning the viewpoint of money as the topic. Yet as we look deeper into Jesus’ statement, we discover a stern warning to those that call themselves Disciples of Christ.
The focus of Jesus’ words may appear as money, yet the root of the issue is greed and worry. Let’s read a few scriptures attached to Jesus’ words in Luke 13:13-15, 22:
13 Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But He said to him, “man, who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his [...]

Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. Ecclesiastes 10:12
When you think of the word “POWER” what comes to mind? Maybe you pictured the power of the ocean or perhaps the influence of a tornado. Whatever came to mind pales in comparison to the power our words can produce in us and others. While they may not be immediately visible, their effects can be deep and irreparable.
Have you ever been the victim of someone’s careless words or even regretted what you spoke to someone in a particular situation? Personally, I have been on both sides of unchecked words released from my own lips, as well as, receiving devastating blows from others. Words can have such an effect on people that they actually carry word wounds to their graves.
Words are very powerful and if used [...]

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:15, 16.
How many times in your life have you asked God for peace in a certain situation? I can think of several relating to my children right now! Peace is a spiritual currency that can be spent in good times and bad. “Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God no matter what the conflict.” – Anonymous
Every sporting event has a referee or umpire that oversees the rules and players of the game. Take the game of baseball for instance. [...]

You know sometimes you read something that really impacts you and brings great revelation. I could try and re-write it, expound upon it, but some things are better left alone. I pray this devotion from Max Lucado blesses you and brings you revelation too.
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It was small enough to overlook. Only two words. I know I’d read that passage a hundred times. But I’d never seen it.
But I won’t miss it again. It’s highlighted in yellow and underlined in red. You might want to do the same. Look in Mark, chapter 16. Get your pencil ready and enjoy this jewel in the seventh verse (here it comes). The verse reads like this: “But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee”.
Did you see it? Read it again. (This time I italicized the words.)
“But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is [...]

Over my many years of working and observing successful people, it is my opinion that high achievers usually have at least one noticeable thing in common: Personal discipline. High achievers are willing to do the difficult, and sometimes mundane, things to achieve their goals or dreams.
In my previous season of ministry, I worked for James Robison’s Ministry for almost 15 years. In that period of time, I met some of the most successful people in business, ministry and family life. I learned volumes of truth and insight by observing and interacting with these people. Most, if not all of these people, learned how to discipline their emotions.
“A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken down walls.” (Proverbs 25:28).
These highly successful people were more dedicated to their dreams and goals than [...]

I believe that 2012 holds great promise to all of us who follow Jesus Christ. The old has gone, and the new has come! It is a fresh approach to a new year!
Isaiah 43:18 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Many times, it’s tricky to look ahead without remembering all the negative situations that have occurred in the past. Isaiah is encouraging his readers to forget the former things that were clouding their trust in God. Stop dwelling on the past hardships, failures and difficulties of 2011. Our perspective and view tends to be backwards. God’s is always moving you forward to His purpose for your life. In other words, change the way you look at [...]

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. Philippians 1:3-6 MSG
Upon learning of Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, the Philippians’ church sent a gift to Paul through Epaphroditus to aid him in his time of need. Paul wished to thank the Philippians for their gift, as well as encourage the church. Paul had developed a special bond with the [...]

The generous will prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
I have come to deeply appreciate the value of a generous person. When I recognize generosity in someone, I know that it is a supernatural characteristic from God the Father. From my experience, men do not naturally respond with a spirit of generosity. It must be developed. You have to purpose in your heart to become a man or woman of a generous spirit.
More often than not, I see a spirit of greed and fear operating on people, such as more money, more power, more toys, and more vacations. All these things can be blessings; they can also become an individual’s attempt at creating happiness rather than receiving the JOY of Jesus. It’s a brutal cycle of chasing happiness that tends to leave you tired and empty.
I believe [...]

And you said, “The LORD our God has shown us His glory and His majesty, and we have heard His voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks with them”. Deuteronomy. 5:24
Many people don’t even believe that God communicates with people, much less talks to them with specific guidance for their lives. As a matter of fact, many church denominations and groups believe that God stopped speaking when the Apostles died. Sad, but true!
It doesn’t stop there; non-Christians are shocked when Christians say they’ve heard the voice of God. You can get some pretty funny looks from folks when you give the slightest indication that you and God are on speaking terms.
According to the Bible, it is a very normal Christian experience to hear God speak to you. In fact, some might even say that we should [...]

A friend recently shared with me about how the Lord used beautiful sunflowers to speak an amazing word to her and us. She said she had read a story about sunflowers before, but this personal experience changed her forever.
“I have been walking and running every day. It’s my time with God and prayer. We were at the Coast, and every morning I would go out for a run; the sunflowers are everywhere and are so beautiful. I started noticing as the sun was coming up, how these flowers would turn toward the sun. God said, “Lisa, even my flowers know to keep their eyes on Me all day.”
Sure enough, at different times of the day, going up and down the road running errands, I noticed that these flowers would follow the sun’s position. The flowers seemed to make sure that their flowery faces were [...]