move forward

A Snowball Effect

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 Yesterday, we talked about how the Lord uses pangs of discomfort to help us see that He’s birthing change in our midst. That said, when we feel like something new is on the horizon, it’s important not to let uncertainty cause us to stagnate. When we said “yes” to Jesus and were born again, a cataclysmic event took place that set our existence on a whole new course — one that finds us constantly in motion. God makes the ball of our lives roll forward, and as we abide in Him, He renews our spirits and consistently moves us to places where we’ll bear the most fruit. Knowing this, we’re wise to keep up with the pace He

October 21, 2021 No Comments

Something New

“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” – Matthew 27:7,8 There’s been much talk recently about the end times, because there’s a lot happening in the world around us. And whether Jesus is coming back next week or in another 500 years, the truth is that He often births new seasons through discomfort. This will certainly be true when history comes to a close and Creation endures a time of tribulation, but it’s equally as true in our lives right now. As those made in the image of God and born again through the blood of Christ, He beckons us to press on and move forward, becoming more like Him in the process. However, it’s important to remember that He often uses pain to loosen our grip on one season so

October 20, 2021 2 Comments

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13,14 One Sunday, when I first started in a pastoral role at Hour of Power, I gave a message on moving forward. After I finished preaching, I quickly changed out of my suit and into a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops and headed to downtown Orange, California, where I was pastoring another church. I started my 1999 Toyota Camry, which had over 200,000 miles and a ceiling that was beginning to sag, and as I was pulling out of the parking lot of the Crystal Cathedral, a horrible sound came from my car. Unfortunately, my transmission had gone

April 3, 2021 3 Comments

The God of Seasons

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1,2 Today is the first day of spring, and if you’re like me, you’re joyfully anticipating the new life that it brings. Especially after the extended impact of COVID-19 and the unprecedented challenges we’ve faced over the past year, we’re ready for a page to turn. However, to put things into perspective, it’s important to remember that springtime is only possible because of the falling leaves of autumn and the barren cold of winter. We serve a God of seasons, and no matter how difficult each one is, they all have distinct beauty and a divinely-appointed purpose. Today, we see evidence of vibrancy and hope, but the fruits of this time have only come

March 20, 2021 2 Comments

Walk in Your Own Shoes

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.” – Psalm 1:1-3 In a culture that’s dominated by images of worldly success, it’s tempting to walk in the footsteps of others instead of traveling the path the Lord has marked out for us. I remember years ago, when my dad was stepping into a leadership role in which he would be filling really big shoes, he wrote a book called Walking in Your Own Shoes. The “big-picture” idea he presented is that while it’s

March 9, 2021 No Comments

move forward

A Snowball Effect

Something New

Move Forward

The God of Seasons

Walk in Your Own Shoes

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