The spiritual, political, cultural, and economic landscape at this point in American history is unfriendly toward forward momentum for God.

Yet I believe that the greatest works of God are accomplished during the most limited times humanly speaking. In fact, some of the most financially intense projects recorded in Scripture took place during lean times.

• The wilderness tabernacle was constructed by laid-off brick layers.
• The second Temple was constructed by refugees.
• The first century church was funded by poverty-stricken Christians.

The economic insecurity, political instability, cultural turmoil, and spiritual upheaval of today makes a very large platform for God to be magnified! When significant works of God happen against this backdrop, the glory obviously goes to God. (more…)

My wife is a godly lady who has cheerfully endured many difficulties for the sake of the ministry over the years. But she hates cockroaches.

Unfortunately, one of the hotel rooms we stayed in while in Central America last week had these unwelcome critters. More unfortunately, Terrie was the first to discover our guests.

She killed the first one in the bathroom and brought me in to see the expired victim. Then she suggested that I ask the hotel manager for a new room.

We were on a tight, busy schedule, and I couldn’t talk to the manager until the following day. By that time, Terrie had stepped directly on one and spotted more. She even captured one in a jar to prove the invasion. (more…)

Through the economic challenges our country has faced, churches have needed—more than ever before—to understand biblical principles of faith, stewardship, and compassion.

In this podcast, we discover fourteen principles that should shape our church budgets, stretch our faith, and increase our fruitfulness.

God’s Word is not bound by a tight economy. I pray that this lesson is an encouragement to you to joyfully serve the Lord and see His Word furthered during this tough economic time.

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Before and after the lesson, I answer the following in-studio questions: (more…)

Have you ever thought of your trial as a stewardship from God? It is. And when stewarded properly, God will use your trial to give you some of His greatest gifts.

God has given us an incredible, amazing resource with which to steward our trials. It’s called grace.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.—2 Corinthians 12:9

If we will receive the grace which God offers during difficult seasons, we can steward our trials in a way that results in unimaginable blessings.

So how do we steward our trial with the grace of God?

1. Trust God’s ways.

Faith trusts God, even when it can’t trace Him. Anyone can trust when we see how circumstances are working together for good. But when we can’t see, when it looks as if nothing good could come of our circumstances, this is when true faith is developed. (more…)

Do you ever feel that you have more responsibilities than time in which to perform them? Actually, I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t feel that way! Thankfully, God has given us a resource to help us make decisions concerning our time. It’s called wisdom! This is why when God commands us to redeem the time, He tells us, “be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).

In my own life, I have realized that the choice between good, better, and best in relation to my time really boils down to one thing—discerning the will of God for my life at that moment.

Below are five truths that have been a help to me in allocating God’s wisdom as I try to steward my time for His glory! (more…)