Immature Vs. Mature

The Lord was with Joseph from the pit to the palace. (Genesis 39:2, NKJV) The Lord was with Joseph in his job, but he still had problems. The Lord was with Joseph in prison and showed him favor. (Genesis 39:21-23, NKJV) The Lord was not only with Joseph, but He also...

God’s Word tells us to allow God to love us. (1 John 3:1, AMP, CEV, NCV) The reason that the world does not know us is because it does not know Him. On the good days and bad days God still loves you and you need to allow God to love you. Consequences of not allowing...

We are called to fight spiritually more than physically. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NIV) We may not do it more because we feel that’s just the way it is and we will have to live with it. Salvation is free, but peace has a price and most people don’t want to pay the price....

Pray that God will give patience in the process. (Psalm 40:1-2, GW, NLT2) You can know what the process is, even if you don’t fully understand it. (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV, NLT2, CEV) Because you know the purpose of the process, it helps you have patience. Be still and...

The goodness of God is beyond description. (Psalm 106:1-5, TLB; Psalm 106:5, TLB) Thank Him for loving us continuously and forever. Thank Him for His mercies that are new every morning. Thank Him for sending His Son to die for our sins. Thank Him for giving us the...

Your purpose is what you live out, not what you just talk about. Even though we have purpose and favor, it does not mean we will not have problems. Jesus had a purpose with favor. (Luke 2:52, NKJV; Hebrews 12:2, NKJV) When our pain has purpose, it makes it easier to...

God’s favor is still with us even in the bad times. (Psalm 30:5, NKJV, ESV) Make sure you activate the favor of God. The Holy Spirit never leaves us, but there are things we can do that grieve the Holy Spirit: (Ephesians 4:25-32, NKJV) Bitterness. Rage. Anger. Harsh...

A true wife brings strength and joy. (Proverbs 18:22, NKJV, AMP; Proverbs 14:1, NCV) A wise woman applies God’s Word and principles to the marriage which strengthens it. A true and wise woman knows that marriage will need repairs and will help do her part to keep it...

  Grow from the inside out, be bigger on the inside than the outside. (Psalm 119:11, NKJV) Allow God’s Word to transform you. (Romans 12:2, NKJV; Luke 6:45, NKJV; Matthew 23:25, NKJV) Qualities of leaders who grow from the inside out. They value people more than...

Abraham’s response to God’s representatives help us understand why he finally received the favor he had been waiting on. (Genesis 18:1-15, NCV) When God comes into your presence, do you want to beg Him to stay? Do you see yourself as God’s servant rather than God...

Continue to ask God for His favor. (Psalm 90:16-17, NRSV) Can we grow in God’s favor? Yes How do we grow in God’s favor? Salvation and Wisdom. (Proverbs 8:35, NKJV, AMP) Wisdom is knowing the mind of God in a matter and then knowing how to apply it on a day-to-day...

Stop being goal-oriented and be more growth-oriented. Getting promoted past your personal growth is a land mine waiting to happen. Happiness is a by-product of oneness. Trying to be special because of achievement won’t bring happiness, it brings separation, fear, and...

Consistency is most important at home. First with your mate: Trust is built by the right actions and reactions repeated over a long period of time. (Luke 16:10, NCV) Second with your children: If you tell them you’re going to do something, do it! (Ephesians 6:4, TEV)...

It’s not desire that causes us to win, grow, or be successful. It’s the design. You have to have both desire and design. Desire starts the fire, but design takes you to the finish line. Desire is about passion, but design is about the pattern. Areas to grow in:...

Every leader needs and wants loyalty. You can’t get loyalty and longevity mixed up with productivity. Business does not equal productivity. You can’t get trust mixed up with truth. You want to trust them or you really don’t need them. You can’t allow the truth about...

God is large and in charge. (Isaiah 46:9-11, NIV; Psalm 115:3, NIV; Daniel 4:35, NIV) He is large enough and in charge enough to take care of whatever we are facing. (Colossians 1:17, NKJV, CEV) God’s permissive will still gives us freedom of choice. (Romans 12:2,...

You have to have an impossible situation or problem. (Mark 4:36-41, NKJV, CEV) If we can solve it on our own it would not be a miracle and we wouldn’t have peace. We need God’s peace when the problem is beyond our control. Impossible situations are nothing more than...

Guard your heart with the words we speak. (Proverbs 4:23-27, Proverbs 18:21) My mouth portrays what’s inside of me. (Matthew 15:18, NIV) SOMEONE WITH                                                  IS REVEALING A                    Harsh Tongue                       ...

Satan tried to command Jesus what to do. (Matthew 4:1-11, NKJV) The truth is Satan can only try to control you and deceive you. Satan can confuse you but he can’t command or control you unless you allow him. If we focused as much on spiritual food as we do physical...

____ Are you reading the Word of God intentionally on a regular basis that reflect in your schedule? It’s all about the heart and what God wants for us. (Proverbs 4:23, NKJV; Joshua 1:8, NKJV) God’s Word leads us to salvation. (1 Peter 1:23, NKJV) God’s Word guides...

The first way to make Godly decisions is wisdom. (Proverbs 4:7, NKJV; Proverbs 14:12, NKJV) Wisdom is knowing God’s mind in the matter. Wisdom comes from God’s Word, God’s people, and God’s circumstances. Wisdom does not come from how you feel. The flesh is always...

There’s nothing stressless about long term relationships; you only learn how to better deal with it which will greatly reduce stress. (Ephesians 4:25-32, NCV; John 8:32, NKJV; Proverbs 15:1, NKJV; Proverbs 18:21, NKJV; James 3:10, NKJV) Learn to forgive quickly and...

Why did Jesus speak so much about money? (Matthew 6:24, NIV; Matthew 6:21, NKJV; Proverbs 4:23, NKJV, TLB) Money problems really start with heart problems. Guard the conversations: What you allow in your heart. What you allow in your mind. What you allow done with...

4 Main Causes of Stressors: Lack of contentment. Love of money. Not managing money by God’s design. You’re in the middle of something beyond your control. Lack of contentment. (Colossians 3:17, ESV, Colossians 3:18-25, ESV) If you’re not content with what you have...

Is your schedule dictated by what’s urgent or is it designed to accomplish what’s most important? (Matthew 6:33-34, NKJV; Luke 10:40-42, NKJV) Mary chose what was important over what was urgent. If you want to reduce the number of stressors in life and want more of...

Time with Jesus has to be intentional and continuous. (Luke 10:38-42, NKJV) Listen with the intention of hearing what Jesus has to say to you, not what you have to say to Him. Some questions to ask yourself: How are you living your day to day level of life, peace or...

Fellowship relationship. (Philippians 4:11-13, NKJV) To talk with Him (Jesus) and hear His voice. Means being aware of His presence every moment of your life. When you are not aware of His presence you are not in living fellowship. Peace has to become a lifestyle you...

How is your peace in God? (Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV) Everything, everything, rises and falls on your fellowship with Christ. The better and stronger the fellowship, the better and stronger you can handle the stressors that come into your life. Do you have God’s peace...

God does not want you stressed. (Matthew 6:25, NKJV; Philippians 4:6, NKJV) You need to learn to remove worry. When you continue to worry, we are stepping outside the boundaries of God. When you continue to live in stress, worry, and anxiety it not only displeases God...

Learn the difference between stressors and stress. Stress is what you feel. Stress is fearful concern experienced when life’s demands seem greater than your ability to meet them. Stressors are what you face while stress is what you feel. Avoid stressors: Do the right...

Learn the difference between stressors and stress. Stress is what you feel. Stress is fearful concern experienced when life’s demands seem greater than your ability to meet them. Stressors are what you face while stress is what you feel. Avoid stressors: Do the right...

What marching orders has God given us? Do everything we can to see as many people as possible to come to know Jesus. Help as many people as possible learn to live the free and abundant life. What promise does God give us in this matter? (Matthew 28:18-20, NKJV) Jesus...

What keeps you up at night? (Joshua 6:12-13, NKJV) If it’s to further God’s Kingdom, the answer, provision, and power is available, we just have to hear from God and obey. The purpose of the test is to teach us to trust. (James 1:2-5, NCV) The purpose of trust is to...

Important insights: It’s one thing to get a word from God, it’s another to carry it out in action. The Israelites walked around Jericho, they didn’t run, strain or struggle. Many times, we struggle, strain, and run when we should be walking with Jesus first. Fruit...

The message God has for us when we are facing an obstacle or problem: (Joshua 5:13-15, TLB; 2 Kings 19:35, NKJV; Joshua 6:1-2, TLB) Seek to understand the problem. Seek God’s presence and power. Seek God’s solution to the problem. Seek to understand the battle and...

God wants you to teach your children 2 main things: (Joshua 4:20-24, NKJV) God’s Word. (Proverbs 22:6, NKJV; Deuteronomy 11:19-20, NKJV) Discipline. (Proverbs 23:13-14, GW; Proverbs 22:15, NIV) Your monument will be the lives that have been changed. (3 John 1:4, NKJV)...

God is faithful even when we are not faithful. (Psalm 18:16, NIV; Proverbs 24:16, NIV) God wants to focus on our faithfulness, not our failures. (Luke 15:11-14, 17-32, NKJV) God is faithful when we are caught doing things we should not be doing. (John 8:3-11, NKJV) He...

We will pass through the waters. (Isaiah 43:1-2, NKJV) You don’t have to fear, but you do need to fight. Passing through the water is seasonal. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NKJV) When we pass through the waters, we all remember that most of the time it’s seasonal. What we don’t...

There’s a prayer to pray. (Joshua 13:1, NKJV; 1 Chronicles 4:10, NKJV) Jabez asked God to bless him and to bless him indeed. Jabez wanted God to enlarge his territory. Jabez wanted God’s hand upon him because that would keep him from evil and pain. Why God granted...

Don’t despise your insecurity. The greatest trap is to be insecure about your insecurities—relax and own it. Owning is the first step to conquering it. Take a risk and talk about it. Talking about it with a wise and trusted friend helps keep our insecurities at...

Imposter Behavior. You pose as someone or something that you perceive as better than the real you. While the real you is imperfect, it is the best you. Work in progress but you can’t make progress if you don’t give yourself permission to be the real you. Defensive...

Learn to walk by faith. (Joshua 3:15-17, NKJV; 1 Corinthians 10:11, NKJV;2 Corinthians 5:7, NKJV) Keep your mind on the Lord and His power, not the problem. (Isaiah 26:3-4, NKJV) Ask God to increase your faith. (Luke 17:5, NKJV) Look to Jesus not people, places or...

The power and purpose. The purpose of the power is to witness. (Colossians 1:29, NKJV, CEV, AMP) Christ was the only way to live. God’s Word was the only way to wisdom. God’s plan and purpose was to bring honor and glory to God. The right rest can be a weapon, but...

There are 2 Sanctifications: Positional sanctification – happens at salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. Progressive sanctification – happens as we become more and more like Jesus as the Holy Spirit prompts us. Being saved and serving by the prompting of the...

Be teachable; Your goals are reachable if you are teachable. (Psalm 37:23-25, NKJV; Psalm 32:8-9, NKJV; Proverbs 21:29-31, NCV; Proverbs 28:14, NCV; Proverbs 29:1, NCV) North (nearness or staying close). (Psalm 73:23-24, NIV) Everything rises and falls on your...

Going places you have not gone. (Joshua 3:3-4a, NIV) Without Jesus and Him crucified we cannot go to new places and learn new insights. (1 Corinthians 2:1-14, NKJV) You don’t get your faith in man but in God. As you mature you learn, gain wisdom, and receive more...

The scarlet cord is a visual example of the blood of Jesus. (Joshua 2:17-21, NKJV) Just as we have never sinned, we have been acquitted. (Romans 5:9, NKJV; Ephesians 1:7, NKJV) When we are saved, the blood cleanses our conscience. But we have to learn to continue to...

True kindness is both words and actions. Jesus’ words were kind, encouraging, and challenging. Just because we challenge someone’s faith and action does not mean we are not kind. Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is challenge someone’s faith that causes them to...

Kindness. (Ephesians 4:32, NKJV) Kindness means being more concerned with WHO a person is becoming than WHAT they’re doing. Kindness is expressed by listening. How do you know who to listen to and who not to listen to? You have to consider the source. You have to ask...

The art of waiting is based on your lifestyle. (James 5:16, NKJV, Proverbs 15:29, NKJV) The art of waiting is based on action. (Joshua 1:8, NKJV) Read the Word. Meditate on the Word. Spread the Word. Accept the Word to bring success. The art of waiting is based on...

The art of waiting prayerfully. (Joshua 1:11, NKJV; Isaiah 40:29-31, NKJV; Psalm 46:10-11, NKJV, CEV, 1 John 5:14-15, NKJV) If we know it’s His will we can pray expectantly, consistently, and accordingly to His word. The art of waiting is based on the relationship...

Questions: Are you being disciplined, pruned or scourged? Do you have fruit? If you have no fruit, you are being disciplined. If you have some fruit God wants you to have more fruit. Fruit leads to pruning which should lead to more fruit if you respond to pruning...

Causes of discouragement: Looking at yourself. Looking at your own goals. Looking at your hopes and dreams. Looking at your drive and desires. Discipline is about sin while pruning is about self. When Christians don’t understand the difference, they can get...

This promise is for you today. (Joshua 1:5-9, NKJV; Hebrews 13:5-6, NKJV) Enjoy all that God is doing. Whatever God calls you to do and wherever God calls you to go, you are going to prosper. (Joshua 1:7-8, NKJV) What you do on a day to day basis and in your private...

Dry up whatever is stopping you from going forward. (Joshua 13:1, NKJV) You are only old when God tells you that you’re old. The Lord can remove your problem. (Joshua 4:23, NKJV) The water of the Jordan is a type of impossible problem you might be facing. (Joshua...

The greatest need for everyone is relationships. (Mark 12:30-31, NKJV) Relationship with God. Relationship with your mate. Relationship with your kids. Relationship with friends/staff. When we get these out of order, we have disorder. The #1 most important need in...

There is great reward in serving the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58, NKJV) Service is an act of Love. Jesus came to serve. (Matthew 20:28, NKJV) When Jesus healed the sick, made the blind to see, fed 5,000 people, He served and showed His love. His death on the cross was...

Every Invitation, every opportunity, every relationship, and every major purpose. It costs you giving your time and energy. Leadership is influence and the greater the influences you have for Jesus the greater influence you will have for the church. God does not want...

Song of Songs 2:15, NKJV The longer you avoid the problem, the bigger the problem gets. Pain is part of the progress. Often, the difference between where you are and where God wants you to be is the pain you’re willing to endure. Remember the reason to confront the...