I want to let you in on a truth.  Those far from God will never tell you this, but deep down inside, many of them envy your authentic relationship with Christ.  They may not know it as such, but they wonder, How does she do that…?  How can he not long do these things…? I’m not able to stop…. What in the world has made the difference?  The difference is a life transformed by an authentic relationship with Christ. What is an authentic relationship with Christ?  Let’s look at four benefits of a transformed life I found in 1 Peter 4, as I prepared for our Celebrate America...

A couple of weeks ago I said not everyone will dream your dream with you.  There is no such thing as opportunity without opposition.  Of the biggest test in life you will have is how do you handle opposition?  Do you panic?  Do you lose your temper, blow up, become discouraged, and give up?  What do you do? In chapter 4 we read about the opposition Nehemiah faced.  Sandballat and Tobiah were to two individuals leading this opposition.  They ridiculed, resisted, and spread vicious rumors about Nehemiah and his work.  This opposition had two goals. One, to hinder God’s Word of promise,...

Have you ever watched a sporting event where every team member functioned at peak capacity – both on offense and defense? It makes a team nearly unstoppable. They use their strength as a unit to overcome each other’s weaknesses. It’s great to watch – greater to be a part of it. If this can happen in a purely human endeavor, think what can happen when God’s people use their human capacities and talents PLUS draw on the power and wisdom of God.  This is what Nehemiah experienced in Jerusalem. Two phrases leap on the page: In chapter 3, note how many times you read “next to them”, ...

You may have heard about the university president that told his class that there were three types of students:  • Those who don’t know what is happening. • Those who watch what’s happening • Those who make things happen. Without question, Nehemiah made things happen. He did so because of a healthy perspective on the human and divine elements of his dream. The story of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem demonstrate several life lessons for us. Let me focus on one: Dreams happen because of design.  When we maintain a proper balance between prayer and planning,...