Jesus didn't say that if you wanted to follow Him you could do it in a lukewarm manner. He said, 'Take up your cross and follow Me.'

The Bible teaches that true joy is formed in the midst of the difficult seasons of life.

We have to believe it enough that it changes how we live.

The world needs Christians who don't tolerate the complacency of their own lives.

The best things in life are gifts from the One who steadfastly loves us. But an important question to ask ourselves is this: are we in love with God or just His stuff?

It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe - the creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor - loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.

We should be so joyful from God's grace that others would respond by saying, 'I wish I had your God.