We all have life-defining moments. They are like open-book tests, but we don't know we have been examined until it is over.

We don't honor just to get a reward; we honor because it is the heart of God, and it is our delight.

Often God will send us what we need in a package we don't want. Why? To let us know He's God and we cannot second-guess Him. We cannot search for answers merely with our heads; we must seek Him and His provision with our hearts. Scripture cannot be interpreted from our limited human mental understanding. There must be a breath of the Spirit of God. He alone gives wise counsel and correct application.

If we don’t risk being hurt, we cannot give unconditional love. Unconditional love gives others the right to hurt us.

Just as Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered, we learn obedience by the difficult circumstances we face. When we obey the Word of God that is spoken by the Holy Spirit, we will grow and mature in the times of conflict and suffering. Our knowledge of Scripture is not the key. Obedience is.

The man or woman who doesn't forgive has forgotten the price that Christ paid for them on the Cross.

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.