The greatest promises in Scripture are: “If we seek God, we will find Him,” and “If we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.” What could possibly be more valuable in life than the nearness of God? Or, as one of my friends used to say, “One moment of the favor of God is worth a lifetime of effort.”

       We are called to both do and become. What we become is more important than what we do because the Lord set a law in creation that all living things “produce after...

       I have been privileged to know some of the high-impact people of our time from many different fields. When I started meeting such people as a young man, I perceived it as a calling to understand highly successful people and to share what I learned with others who were similarly called to such a purpose. The lives of the famous and highly successful are not easy and can ruin those who are not prepared for it. In fact, remarkably few can navigate fame or great success and not be ruined and destined to live a miserable life....

        The first thing Jesus said to the first ones He called to follow Him was, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). This was about more than just relating to them in their current profession. This is basic to following Him. Fishermen catch fish, so how would one catch men?

       There are similarities in how we catch fish and men, such as using different kinds of bait to catch different kinds of fish. Similarly, we must use different methods to draw different kinds of people. This skill is...

        As stated last week, one of the great truths that can help keep us on the path of life is I Timothy 1:5, “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” In everything we are called to grow in love, and this helps us understand the purpose of our trials and challenges. As we learn to embrace each opportunity to love, we can get through each trial faster with much more accomplished.

        The two major purposes of our life are to do and...

        There are certain aspects of our walk with God that are essential to character development. Understanding this helps make our challenges and battles more tolerable. Of primary importance is understanding our need to be rightly connected to the body of Christ, to know our place in it, and to function there in the gifts and ministries we have been given. 

         We have been called into the greatest fellowship—to follow the King with His faithful ones. They are some of the best but also some of the most difficult. Together, they provide...