We must never run from a battle. We are called to be overcomers, and overcomers don’t run from challenges. The Scriptures repeatedly state, “The Lord tests the righteous” (see Psalm 11:5). These tests are not to cause us to fall, but to promote us. Just as we cannot advance in school without passing tests, the same is true in our Christian walk. The purpose of every test is to take us higher. 

         Continual tests for advancement are a basic part of the Christian walk. It is unlikely we will pass any test...

     Being a Christian is not for wimps! Following the King is the hardest thing we can do in this life. It will put us at odds with almost everyone on earth, including some of our closest family members and friends. At times we will likely be at odds with others who are following Him. Then we have our own carnal nature that is constantly at war with us and our walk with the Lord. If that is not enough, God cast the devil and all the fallen angels to the earth, and they are intent on attacking those...

        As we continue this theme of growing in the patience required to inherit the promises, we will look at the most popular of all Scriptures about waiting on the Lord, Isaiah 40:31:

        “But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not be weary. They will walk and not faint.”

          The prophet does not say here those who wait on the Lord can renew their strength, they will renew their strength. All who run eventually...

         This is the third week we will address the need for patience and waiting on the Lord to follow the King. If you’re getting impatient with this, perhaps this is especially for you! I’m just sayin’…

         Growing in patience and learning to “wait upon the Lord” are necessary to walk in the faith that receives His promises. Could impatience be the reason we are not receiving or walking in many things we are expecting? Giving ourselves to growing in patience is one of the most important things we can do. If...

         Last week I shared how many times I had missed the Lord and His will for my life because of my impatience. Since I asked Him to help me with this, I have had daily challenges to my patience and often many each day. I am also starting to expect daily encounters with the Lord, or some other special purpose encounter. 

         Learning to embrace challenges to my patience has another significant result. The stress monitor on my watch shows that most days I am now living in a range of 20 or more points below...