There is no greatness apart from self control. Development that does not include self government will only guarantee our mediocrity.

I want you to sense the Holy Spirit brooding over you. Is this too good to be true? You betcha, it's the good news. Does He border on fantasy? You betcha, it's the gospel. Glad tidings of great joy, heaven has come instead of hell, Jesus has come instead of the devil. You can have the life you always wanted, instead of the life you have always had - instead. That is possible because of the absolute, incredible, incomparable favor of God.

Do not look for evil. Look for the goodness of God all around you. As you look for signs of His Presence, many more opportunities will occur for you to bless people and share God's true nature.

To rest in God's power when your own weaknesses seem to be screaming at you? That's grace! To be confident in who God is for you when you feel overwhelmed by odds against you? That's peace! To stand alone against massive intimidation? That's trust! To know beyond any shadow of a doubt that God is bigger, and therefore you cannot lose? That's the faith that moves mountains!

It is part of our inheritance to be, above all, secure and confident in the will of God.

I think God loves to speak to us prophetically, because there are a number of things which happen when you receive a prophecy.

Your identity is being formed whether you understand it or not, whether you are cooperating or not. Something is being formed all the time, either through your response or your non-response. All your circumstances are to establish something. If you don't respond to them properly, then you establish something that you don't really want to be known for.