Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.  ~John W. Whitehead, The Stealing of America, 1983
“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.” (Luke 6:43)
What simple things can you focus on this month to bear much good fruit?
When I die, I want to leave a strong family legacy – children and grandchildren who love Jesus and have passion for the Word of God – family members who selflessly serve others out of the love they …

No coffee can be good in the mouth that does not first send a sweet offering of odor to the nostrils. – Henry Ward Beecher
Then the men … gave them food and drink (2 Chronicles 28:15)
Who do you know who will appreciate the gift of fine coffee?
As some of you know, my wife (Julia) started an international coffee roasting business this year. While I don’t drink coffee, I do like supporting my wife. I found it fascinating to discover that coffee is the #2 traded commodity in the world next …

Do you know the number one reason that stops people from getting what they want? It’s lack of Focus. People who focus on what they want, prosper. Those who don’t, struggle.
Seek ye first … (Matthew 6:33)
What is the lead domino principle?
How can you apply that to each day?
How does that apply to your family, church, business, ministry, or organization?
 
For five consecutive years, I met weekly in person with a small coaching group – godly men who held one another accountable, men who wanted to reach the world for Jesus. …

Budgeting is telling your money, time, and energy where to go instead of wondering where they went.
Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds; (Proverbs 27:23)
How do you flesh out a goal?
How do you count the total cost to see if that goal is reasonable to pursue?
How important is keeping a written budget?
Long ago, before I went to college, my father taught me to keep a detailed, written budget for my finances. Doing that had a huge positive impact on the decisions I made and …

When you bless the Jewish people, God will bless you!
At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Yeshua was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. (John 10:22,23)
What is the Festival of Lights?
How does that relate to Christmas?
Yesterday I shared a “Letter From Jesus About Christmas,” which closely reflected my view of Christmas. Today I’d like to share a good message from Jeff Bernstein about the Festival of Lights received as an email on December 8. This feast is Biblical. …

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. – Roy L. Smith
being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever; (1 Peter 1:23)
How did Christmas get started?
Is it Biblical?
If Jesus wrote you a letter about Christmas, what would He say?
For many years Christmas was my favorite holiday and time of the year. Since committing my life to Jesus in 2001, Easter became my favorite holiday. Why? Because Jesus’ primary purpose in …

“Less is almost always more!”- Mac Anderson
The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. (Psalm 116:6)
What can you let go of to simplify your life?
In the process of preparing yesterday’s devotional, I perused all the web pages at Simpletruths.com. The website is simple, but very effective. Their new blog is the favorite one I have ever seen. Here is what the Mac Anderson says on his About Us page:
There is one thing in life that took me a long time to learn, and that’s… …

Give the gift of inspiration…it keeps on giving! – Mac Anderson
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. (Psalm 19:7)
What gifts of inspiration will you give this Christmas?
This morning while staying at my brother’s house in Maryland, I checked my email and discovered a message from Mac Anderson, the founder of Simple Truths. Don’t you love that name – “Simple truths?” If you’re like me, you desire simplicity, but great impact. God is a god of multiplication. …

Spend an hour in prayer with these couples each week, no matter the distance that separates you. – Jeff Williams
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7)
Do you intentionally and faithfully pray on a weekly basis with other couples?
How might …

‘My purpose in life is simply to glorify God.  We have to be careful that we don’t let the pursuit of our life’s goals, no matter how important they may seem, cause us to lose sight of our purpose.  I coach football.  But the good I can do to glorify God along the way is my real purpose.  I want to help people see the path to eternal life through Christ, to enjoy an abundant life now, and to fulfill their God-given purposes here.’  – Tony Dungy, Head Coach, Indianapolis …