I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. —Philippians 3:8-9

During those years, in my zeal to please God, I had thought only of His holiness and how out of reach it was. Like the apostle Paul, I had come face-to-face with my sinfulness and weakness. { Read More }

How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? —John 5:44

This verse is a warning and an encouragement to you and me. The warning: if you and I do not make an attempt to receive the praise that comes from God rather than the praise of people, we too will find it impossible to exercise genuine faith. The encouragement: we are not required to have obtained the honor and praise of God, but only to make an effort to obtain it. God's commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3).

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly-.-.-.-for God loveth a cheerful giver. —2 Corinthians 9:7

God cares about how much you give, and He cares about your attitude when you give to Him. He does not bless the so-called Christian who begrudgingly tosses a tip in the offering bucket.

Time and again the Bible tells of those who gave sacrificially, honoring Him and acknowledging Him as their provider (1 Samuel 2:1-10; Acts 10:1-4; Judges 11:30-31).