"Let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up." Romans 14:19 NLT

Paul wouldn't yield an inch when it came to standing on the central truths of Scripture. But when it came to traditions, personal opinions, and personal preferences, he said, "Let each be fully convinced in his own mind" (v. 5 NKJV). Under the law of Moses, being circumcised was considered equal to having a covenant between you and God. So when Gentile believers joined the New Testament church, Jewish believers insisted they too must be circumcised. Not as babies, mind you, but as adults! Were these Jewish believers sincere? Absolutely. But they were sincerely misguided. When this issue threatened to split the church, the apostles met in Jerusalem, prayed about the matter, and issued the following opinion: "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things" (Ac 15:28 NKJV). Any time a tradition or personal preference becomes equal in authority to God's Word, we have gone too far. Question: Have you been upset with someone who doesn't agree with you on some nonessential point of doctrine? Have you been critical of someone whose opinion differs from yours? Perhaps in insisting on your list of dos and don'ts, you have forgotten the most important item on God's list: that we exhibit love. Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (Un 13:35 NKJV). Our hearts can be in unity even when our minds don't agree. We can walk hand in hand, even when we don't see eye to eye. As theologians often say, "In essential things, unity. In all things, charity!"

"Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand." Psalm 37:42 NLT

Every opportunity in life comes with two things: the possibility of succeeding, and the possibility of failing. When you reach the end of your life, your greatest regrets won't be over your failures, but the opportunities you failed to seize because you were afraid of failing. So here are some principles to help you conquer the fear of failing: (1) Be willing to try and fail at something. And when it happens, tell people. Why? Because that's how you discover failure isn't fatal. (2) Find a project so big that you cannot do it without God's help, then commit to it. (3) Socialize with some impulsive types. Observe how they take risks without dying. Seeing and imitating is a great way to learn. (4) The way we learn to take big steps of faith is by taking small steps of faith. Compliment someone you don't know. Volunteer for an additional task at work. Go out of your way to help someone in need. (5) Declare war on perfectionism. Instead of waiting until you can do it perfectly, do your best and tell yourself, "That's good enough for now." (6) Be afraid, and obey God anyway. You will never totally defeat your fears, but you can diminish them to where they have less control of your life. Here is a promise for you to stand on: "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand" (vv. 23-24 NLT).

"They... looked, and there was a company of Ishamaelites, coming... on their way to... Egypt." Genesis 37:25 NKJV

If Abraham and Sarah had been willing to wait a little longer, Isaac would have been born and the promise of God fulfilled. But they became impatient, and as a result, Ishmael was born. One of the names given to God in Scripture is "Redeemer," because He can redeem our mistakes and turn them into learning experiences; He can turn the mess you make into the miracle you need. It took three generations, but God turned the mess Abraham made into the miracle of deliverance Joseph needed. Joseph's destiny was to be ruler of Egypt and save his family and the world in time of famine. But because his brothers resented him, they sold him as a slave to "a company of Ishmaelites." These were the descendants of Ishmael, who was born to Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's maid. And where were these Ishmaelites going? To Egypt! "Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt...so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt" (vv. 25, 28 NKJV). It's not over until God says it's over. He can turn the mess you made in the past into a miracle you need in the future. And that miracle will not only bless you, but others too. And perhaps those "others" will be in your own family, just as in the case of Joseph.

"Boaz begot Obed by Ruth." Matthew 1:5 NKJV

Humanly speaking, the chances of a Gentile like Ruth marrying a wealthy Jew like Boaz were less than zero, because the law of Moses forbade it. "An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the Lord forever" (Dt 23:3 NKJV). If ever a door looked shut, locked, and bolted, it was this one. But when people and circumstances rule, God overrules. His résumé reads: "He who has the key... He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens" (Rev 3:7 NKJV). God, not people, holds the key to your future. Jesus said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God" (Lk
18:27 NKJV). From this unusual combination of Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, accepted and rejected, would come Jesus the Redeemer of the world. The record reads, "Boaz begot Obed by Ruth." So, the word for you today is--the best is yet to come. Your walk with Christ can produce fruit that blesses your children and your grandchildren for generations to come. Live in the present and enjoy every day God gives you, but always keep the long view in mind. It's not just about what God wants to do for you, but what He wants to do through you that will bless others. God told Abraham, "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing...And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Ge 12:2-3 NKJV). Claim that promise!

"Be alert and of sober mind." 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Amy Winehouse died of alcohol poisoning at twenty-seven. The BBC described her as "the preeminent vocal talent of her generation." One of her biggest hits was "Rehab." It won three Grammys. "They tried to make me go to Rehab but I say no, no, no." She wrote it when doctors told her she was in imminent danger of dying of alcoholism. Her own words give us some insight: "I never learned how to say no to myself, and nobody ever taught me to." People can do many things for you, but they can't say no for you. You must do that for yourself! And in the Me generation that promotes entitlement and mocks self-discipline as old-fashioned, saying no to yourself becomes harder each day. But without the will and strength to say no to yourself, you're headed for trouble and heartache. Self-restraint is like a muscle. When you flex it regularly, it grows stronger and it's there when you need it most. When you don't flex it regularly, it leaves you weak and vulnerable. Here is some of the best advice you will ever get: Pick an area of your life, and practice saying no to yourself in that one area. And the sooner you start, the better. It may be in the area of your appetite, your friendships, your spending, your thoughts, or what you view on television or the internet. "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (v. 8 NIV). Satan cannot defeat you when you're alert to where you're weak and you have learned to say no to yourself in that area.

"You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV

God instructs us to seek Him, but not as though He is hiding from us. When we seek God, we make a decision that's necessary for bringing us into the spiritual realm. Some levels of blessing are never received unless they are diligently sought. It's your seeking after God that moves Him to respond. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb 11:6). There are no manuals that instruct us step by step as to the proper way to seek the Lord. Some people seek Him quietly, with soft tears falling gently down a weary face. Others seek Him while walking the sandy beaches of a cove, gazing into the swelling currents of an evening tide. Some raise their hands and praise Him with loving expressions of adoration. There are no rules, just that you seek Him with your whole heart. What does it mean to seek God "with all your heart"? It's giving Him your full attention and removing all distractions so that you can focus on Him. Imagine dropping a contact lens on the floor, or a precious stone from a ring and saying, "No problem, I'll just look for that later." No, the value you place on something determines the intensity with which you seek it. When you pray, "Lord, I need you; I won't make it without You," you are praying "with all your heart." And God answers such praying, "I will be found by you" (Jer 29:14 NKJV).

"Now about the collection for the Lord's people." 1 Corinthians 16:1 NIV

When a recession hit Jerusalem, Paul asked the believers at Corinth to give offerings to meet this need: "Now about the collection for the Lord's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when 1 arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem" (vv. 1-3 NIV). A healthy church will always have two things: in-reach and outreach. It will endeavor to meet both the spiritual and material needs of people. In the Old Testament, God told His people, "If there is among you a poor man of your brethren...you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother "(Dt 15:7 NKJV). When you have a true encounter with Christ, you will have a heart for hurting people. "Then Zacchaeus…..said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord, 1 give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold! And Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house'" (Lk 19:8-9 NKJV). When it comes to giving to God, the Bible sets the baseline at 10 percent (See Mal 3:10). Beyond that, you should be guided by your love for God: "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2Co 9:7 NKJV).

"Every man shall give as he is able. "Deuteronomy 16:17 NKJV

When it comes to giving, here are two important truths the Bible teaches us about money: (1) God does not expect us all to give the same amount. "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you" (v. 17 NKJV). Paul writes, "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have" (2Co 8:12 NIV). (2) God will ask you to make sacrifices to fulfill His kingdom purposes in the earth. In order to reverse the judgment of God that had come upon the people, King David was instructed to "go up, erect an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite" (2Sa 24:18 NKJV). When Araunah saw David coming, he offered him the land free of charge. But David said: "No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing! So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord heeded the prayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel" (vv. 24-25 NKJV). God does not ask us to give equally, He asks us to sacrifice equally. And here is the good news: On the other side of every sacrifice God asks you to make for Him, there awaits you His blessings and His rewards.

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there." Job 1:21 NKJV

Here is what Job said about his great wealth: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there." Job understood that we all enter life with our hands empty, and we all exit life with our hands empty. The only thing we can take with us when we go is what we have sent ahead. Jesus talks about this: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Mt 6:19-21 NKJV). When Jesus referred to treasure, His audience would have understood that He was referring to clothing, food, or money. Rich people wore the best clothes, but moths could tear holes in them. Rich people ate the best food, but rats and worms could consume it. Rich people owned silver and gold, but since there were no banks, they stored their money in their houses. But because houses were made of clay, thieves could conveniently reach through the wall and rob it. What Jesus was saying was "Don't put your treasure where it can be damaged, decayed, or done away with." A pastor writes: "Jesus doesn't want your money. It's already his. Jesus wants your heart. But since your heart always follows your money, he wants you to surrender your money, your wealth, your stuff to him." When you do that, you're investing in eternity instead of time.

"You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth." Deuteronomy 8:18 NKJV

After four hundred years of living like slaves, the Israelites were about to take possession of the promised land. And God had a concern. What was it? The same concern He has about each of us. When you have little, you realize how dependent you are on God. But when you have much, your tendency is to forget God, the source of every blessing. Note what David said when God's people gave generously to build the temple: "All things come from You, and of Your own we have given You...God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house...is all Your own" (1Ch 29:14, 16 NKJV). The prayer David prayed that day left a lasting impression on his son Solomon, who later wrote: "As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor-this is the gift of God" (Ecc 5:19 NKJV). You say, "I worked hard to get to the top in my career" or "I worked hard to build this business." Who gave you the strength? Who gave you the talent? Who gave you the strategy, the connections, and the resources to do it? If you think it was you, read this Scripture, write it down, and carry it with you: "Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go'" (Isa 48:17 NKJV).

"'The silver in Mine, and the gold in Mine,' says the Lord of hosts." Haggai 2:8 NKJV

God owns everything. If you doubt that, read these Scriptures: "The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, says the Lord of hosts." "The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein" (Ps 24:1 NKJV). "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father" (Jas 1:17 NKJV). "Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all" (1Ch 29:12 NKJV). What do these Scriptures mean? They mean that the bank account, the stock portfolio, or the title deed to the property may be held in your name, but God owns it all. You say, "Then what am 1?" You are the administrator of God's estate, and the executor of His will. Can an administrator do as he or she chooses with someone's estate? No, they are required to manage it on behalf of someone else. Can the executor do as he or she chooses with someone's last will and testament? No, they are required to follow the instructions given in that will. And if you want to know the terms of God's will for your life, they're found in His Word. And the more God entrusts to you, the more He requires of you. Jesus said, "Everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more" (Lk 12:48 NKJV).

"Selah." Psalm 44:8 NKJV

After sharing great truths and insights with us, the psalmist often uses the word "Selah." It means "pause and reflect." For years people have said that experience is the best teacher. But the truth is, evaluated experience is the best teacher! Stopping to reflect is one of the most important activities you can do in order to grow. It provides a superior value than motivation or encouragement because it lets you make sure you're going down the right road. After all, if you're on the wrong track, you don't need motivation to move faster. You need to pause, reflect, and change course. In describing the end times, the Bible says, "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase" (Da 12:4 NKJV). You will note that it says "knowledge" will increase, which is information, facts, and data, but it doesn't say understanding will increase. With a sharp intellect and a good memory, you can retain lots of knowledge. But in order to have understanding, you must take the time to drill down and understand what you're seeing and hearing. Galileo said, "All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered. The point is to discover them. That takes investigation." By pausing and reflecting, you can sort through the experiences you have, put them into perspective, and glean from them the wisdom required to have a better future. These are often referred to as "aha" moments, when you experience sudden understanding or insight. It's when the proverbial light bulb switches on. Only a few things in life are better than moments like that. But these moments only come to those who take the time and effort to pause and reflect.

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

In 1982, John Hinckley Jr. attempted to take the life of President Ronald Reagan by shooting him with a handgun. Reagan's daughter, Patti, later recounted what she learned from her father when he was in hospital: "My father said he knew his physical healing was directly dependent on his ability to forgive John Hinckley...It showed me that forgiveness is the key to everything...He gave me an example of Christ-like thinking." Sometimes the wounds that others inflict on us are unintentional, and other times they are deliberate. But in both cases the Scriptures give us a clear standard concerning the wrongs we experience. You are to forgive those who hurt you, "even as God in Christ forgave you." That's a high standard, but it's one that brings healing for our deepest wounds. Sometimes we dispense forgiveness like a soft drink from a vending machine–mechanically, and with no feelings attached. But the Bible says two attitudes should accompany forgiveness: kindness, which is expressed in our actions, and tenderheartedness, which is expressed in our attitudes. Why? Because that's the way God forgives us. Throughout Scripture we find emotions or characteristics such as kindness, gentleness, compassion, and tenderness—in word or by action—ascribed to God. We also find examples of it in the lives of those God used to fulfill His plans and purposes. Joseph was one of them, when he forgave his brothers who betrayed him. And He calls on us to do the same. This kind of forgiveness is as much an act of the heart as it is an act of the will.

"Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes." Proverbs 19:2 NLT

If you are impulsive, you tend to lack discipline. You can be thoughtless, or insensitive to others, or driven by appetite. You may have a hard time with delayed gratification. You have a low frustration tolerance. You get bored easily. You can fly off the handle. If this describes you, here are six principles you should try to incorporate into your life: (1) Ask counsel from wise friends before plunging forward with an idea. "The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge" (Pr 18:15 NKJV). (2) Cultivate friendships with people who are not only wise but strong enough to hold you accountable. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed" (Jas 5:16). (3) Spend time praying about a potential open door before assuming that your intuition is a divine command. "He shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way" (Ps 25:8-9 NLT). (4) Study and read about an area of need before you commit yourself to action. "Only simpletons believe everything they're told! The prudent carefully consider their steps" (Pr 14:15 NLT). (5) When you come to the end of a season of activity, spend some time in reflection so that you can become a wiser person before you go on to the next thing. "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty" (Pr 21:5 NLT). (6) Make a commitment and stick with it, even when the next impulse, which looks so much more fun, comes along.

"As He is, so are we in this world." 1 John 4:17 NKJV

When you put your trust in Christ as your Savior, God sees you "in Christ." The words "in Christ" appear no less than seventy-eight times in the New Testament. When God looks at you, He doesn't see you with all your flaws and imperfections; He sees you in Christ. And since Christ has atoned for all your sins, you are "accepted in the beloved" (Eph 1:6). Having a blessed future is not contingent upon how much you strive to be perfect or how hard you work at changing yourself. It is contingent upon the person of Jesus Christ, and the fact that you are in Christ. The Bible proclaims, "As He is, so are we in this world." You say, "But surely you only get what you deserve?" That's true, unless you are in Christ. Then you get what He deserves! "For He made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2Co 5:21 NKJV). The word "righteousness" is a legal term. It means "to have right standing before God." Vine's An Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words defines righteousness as "that gracious gift of God to men whereby all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are brought into right relationship with God." In other words, your right standing before God is based on Jesus' right standing before God. You should be glad about that. Why? Because the only righteousness that measures up to God's exacting standard of perfection is the righteousness of Christ. And since you are clothed in His righteousness, you can be confident of God's acceptance and walk in His blessing each day. 

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" Isaiah 26:3 NLT

Your thoughts create your feelings, and your feelings dictate your approach to life. So by changing the way you think, you can change how you feel and how you approach life. Unlike the world, which teaches you to empty your mind to achieve peace, God's way is to fill your mind with fresh, powerful, redeeming thoughts. "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" It's not just about trying to blot out bad thoughts with your willpower. If a wrong, bad, or negative thought is lodged in your mind today and you can't seem to shake it, stop trying! That won't erase it from your mind. That's like cutting a weed off at ground level rather than uprooting it; it will just grow again.
What you need to do is replace that wrong destructive thought with a thought that's from God. That's the only way to deal with wrong thoughts and begin the healing process. The apostle Paul writes: "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise...Then the God of peace will be with you" (Php 4:8-9 NLT). Are you concerned about your health? "Fix" your mind on this Scripture: "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses" (Mt 8:17 NKJV). Are you concerned about the future? "Fix" your mind on this promise: "And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed" (Dt 31:8 NKJV).

"Worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins," Hebrews 10:2 NKJV

To become a worshiper in the fullest sense requires two things. First, an understanding that God's love toward you is not predicated on your love toward Him. The moment you accept Christ as your Savior, God accepts you and clothes you in the righteousness of Christ; therefore, you are always worthy to approach Him. Second, understanding that God's love for you is not merely a theological concept, but something that is embraced with your heart and responded to through your emotions. In the act of worship, you "let yourself go," giving yourself without reservation and abandoning yourself to Him. "Worshipers, once purified, would have had no consciousness of sins." When you believe that the blood of Jesus has cleansed you from all sin-past, present, and future-you become a worshiper enraptured with His love. Sinful patterns are changed, and stubborn habits are broken when you get your eyes off yourself and focus on Christ. Paul writes, "Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph 5:18-19 NKJV). Note the words "in your heart to the Lord." The psalmist David writes, "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" (Ps 34:8 NKJV). Note the word "taste." Picture yourself sitting down to your favorite meal, tasting each bite and savoring each flavor. The truth of God's love for you must not just remain in your mind; it must be experienced in your heart. When that happens, you are truly worshiping God.

"The Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." Mark 18:20

The book of Mark concludes this way: "They went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." Understanding the will of God is not a precise science, and the most spiritually mature among us can get it wrong. But this much you can count on: God will use a combination of the Spirit and Scripture to guide you. As you open His Word and open your heart, God will speak to you. Then you have to act on it. The way to get spiritual momentum is by praying, and then making a decision. And the harder the decision, the more momentum it can produce. The main reason most of us don't notice God moving is because we aren't moving. If you would like to see God move, you need to make a move! Near the end of her ministry, Mother Teresa was frequently asked by her admirers how they could make a difference with their lives the way she had with hers. She often replied with only four words: "Find your own Calcutta." That doesn't mean God's will for you is to be a missionary in a foreign land. It could be; the greater likelihood is that God is calling you to take action where you live and where you work. Before God asks you to do greater things, He will ask you to use what you have, do what you can, and serve where you are. So, what little things do you need to do now that will make you ready for the big things God wants down the road?

"I have loved you with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV

After four hundred years of living as slaves in Egypt, the Israelites struggled with low self-esteem. So, God said to them, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt" (vv. 3-4 NKJV). Notice the words "built" and "rebuilt." How can you build, or rebuild, your self-esteem? In three ways: First, by believing in God's unearned, undeserved, unchanging, unfailing love for you at all times. Second, by serving and giving to others. When you have been victimized in the past, you tend to focus unduly on yourself. It's not that you want to be selfish, it's just what you feel you must do in order to survive. Yet, the opposite is true. Helping someone-even making a small difference-lifts your self-esteem. It's difficult to harbor bad feelings about yourself when you're doing something good for someone else. On top of that, adding value to another's life causes that person to value you more. It creates a cycle of positive feelings from one person to another. Third, doing the right thing, even when it's the hard thing. Being true to yourself and your values is a remarkable self-esteem builder. Each time you do something that builds your character, you become a stronger person-the more difficult the task, the greater the character builder. You can actually "act yourself" into feeling good about yourself, because positive character enlarges into each area of your life, providing you with confidence and positive feelings about all you do.

"Bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord." Ephesians 6:4 NLT

Planting a seed is only the first of a season's worth of steps. There is watering, fertilizing, weeding, and protecting the struggling plant from pests, diseases, storms, and adverse weather. Many flowers and vegetables require stakes, cages, and other supports to help them stand tall and bear their fruit. The gardener who does nothing but sow a seed shouldn't be surprised if his or her plants never reach maturity. Almost all living things in God's creation reproduce by sowing a seed: human beings, plants, birds, fish, and animals. When a seed is buried out of sight in the ground, there is little we can do to impact its growth. But when a new plant-and especially a new baby-enters the world, that's where the results of real husbandry— and parenting-can be seen. Passive parenting is letting a child grow up in his or her own way. But Bible parenting is a different matter altogether. If you're a parent, read these Scriptures: "True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it. Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it" (Pr 22:4-6 NLT). "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing" (Ps 92:12-14 NKJV). That's called "parenting, the Bible way."

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 NIV

The first step to getting what you want in life is knowing what you want. Jesus said, in essence, "The key to getting what you want out of life is to focus on what I want for your life." Note the words "seek first." This word "seek" means "to strive for diligently" or "to desire strongly." The action is continuous. It says, "Keep on striving for, keep on seeking, keep on desiring daily." When Jesus says, "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness," it means you don't have to pray about what your top priority in life ought to be; everything you do will be ordered by those two things. Where you work, how you spend your time, the person you marry, how you manage your money, the relationships you form, the pastimes you enjoy, the purchases you make-all of these will be sifted and sorted through one filter: "Is this for His kingdom? Does it relate to His righteousness?" Can't you see how living this way would transform your marriage, your work, your family, your finances, and every other area of your life? But in order to pursue the priorities of the kingdom, you must first have a relationship with the King. You won't even know where the kingdom is, or what it looks like, until you know the King. And you can know Him. How? As you open the pages of His Word and open your heart, there He will reveal Himself to you. And as you spend time with Him in prayer, He will respond to you.