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Written by Max Lucado, a contemporary pastor, author, and speaker. This is an excerpt from his work “On the Anvil.”

Time on God’s anvil should clarify our mission and define our purpose. When a tool emerges from a blacksmith’s anvil, there is no question as to what it is for. There is no question as to why it was made. One look at the tool and you instantly know its function. As a human emerges from the anvil of God, the same should be true. Being tested by God reminds us that our function and task is to be about his business, that our purpose is to be an extension of his nature, an ambassador of his throne room, and a proclaimer of his message. We should exit the shop with no question as to why God made us. We know our purpose. We are God’s people, and we are to be about his business. If we live our lives in this way, then we can enter our final years with the assurance of knowing that life was well spent and that heaven is but a wink away. And is there any greater reward than this?

Be About His Business [Luke 2:49]





































The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  [Psalm 46:7]

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Written by the Lead Like Jesus team, an organization founded by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges that promotes a transformational leadership model based on following Jesus.

Listening is more than just hearing; it is more than just understanding the words that are spoken. Listening involves hearing, understanding, and rightly applying what is heard to the situation at hand. Listening ultimately achieves wisdom’s purpose when we choose to act based on what we have heard. Jesus’ teaching about serving others as the God-ordained way to lead is valid for every situation in which we find ourselves. Do you trust what Jesus has to say about leadership? Your answer will be revealed in your actions.

Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. —Proverbs 8:6




































The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  [Psalm 46:7]

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Written by E. Stanley Jones, (1884-1973), an American missionary, theologian, and author.

The business of the Scriptures is to take us by the hand and take us beyond the words to the Word. The Scriptures are not the revelation of inspired record of the Revelation—the Revelation is seen in the face of Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh. The opening sentence of the Book of Revelation says, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants.” This is interesting and important. For in the rest of the Scripture, Jesus is revealing God, showing us in concrete, human terms what God is like. What a revelation of God we find in Him? There can be nothing higher, and there can be noting other – this is it!

He who has seen Me has seen the Father. [John 14:9]



































The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  [Psalm 46:7]

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Written by John Henry Jewett (1864-1923), British preacher and author.

Abram began his journey without any knowledge of his ultimate destination. He obeyed a noble impulse without any discernment of its consequences. He took “one step,” and he did not “ask to see the distant scene.” And that is faith, to do God’s will here and now, quietly leaving the results to Him. Faith is not concerned with the entire chain; its devoted attention is fixed upon the immediate link. Faith is not knowledge of a moral process; it is fidelity in a moral act. Faith leaves something to the Lord; it obeys His immediate commandment and leaves to Him direction and destiny. And so faith is accompanied by serenity. “He that believeth shall not make haste”—or, more literally, “shall not get into a fuss.” He shall not get into a panic, neither fetching fears from his yesterdays nor from his to-morrows. Concerning his yesterdays faith says, “Thou hast beset me behind.” Concerning his to-morrows faith says, “Thou hast beset me before.” Concerning his to-day faith says, “Thou hast laid Thine hand upon me.” That is enough, just to feel the pressure of the guiding hand.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. [Hebrews 11:6]


































The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  [Psalm 46:7]

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Written by J. Ryan Lister, a contemporary professor of theology and author.

If we are honest, many of us can think of God as our “magic genie” from time to time. We keep him on the shelf until troubles arise or there is something our neighbor has that we really want. The problem is, real relationships don’t work this way—especially with the triune God. The Lord over all will not be left on the shelf of anyone’s life. Instead, Scripture is clear that all of life—and, principally, the gospel life—is about being in God’s relational presence. This is why David proclaims, “in your presence there is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). When we push all our peripheral issues to the periphery, this is all that is left and all that really matters.

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.  [2 John 1:3]

































The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  [Psalm 46:7]

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Written by Mark Vroegop, a contemporary pastor and author. This is adapted from his book “Waiting Isn’t a Waste: The Surprising Comfort of Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life.”

Miraculous power and fruitfulness characterized the early church. Reading the book of Acts, we get a sense of the activity, progress, and even the opposition. But we shouldn’t miss the critical moments of waiting… many memorable moments of the early church are connected to waiting on God. We tend to focus on the activity and advancement of the gospel, but it’s important to remember the context of tension-filled gaps. Seeking God in the middle of uncertainty is a familiar theme for those who embrace the call of God. As I look at the landscape of Christianity and the activity of the church, I don’t see a lot of emphasis on waiting. Instead there’s a high premium placed on action, movement, growth, and expansion… Seeing the kingdom of God advance and the hearts of people change brings me incredible joy. But…waiting isn’t just essential for Christians; it’s essential for the entire church in every generation.



“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” [Acts 1:4]
































The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  [Psalm 46:7]

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Written by Richard Foster, a contemporary theologian and author.  This is an excerpt from his book “Freedom of Simplicity.”

Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “Pray for me that I not loosen my grip on the hands of Jesus even under the guise of ministering to the poor.” That is our first task: to grip the hands of Jesus with such tenacity that we are obliged to follow his lead, to seek first his Kingdom. The [next] step is so simple I am almost embarrassed to mention it, and yet it is so important that I must. Begin now to obey him in every way you can.

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. [Isaiah 41:13]
































The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  [Psalm 46:7]

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Written by Andrew Murray (1828-1917), a South African writer, teacher, and Christian pastor. This is an excerpt from his book “Humility.”

Here’s a sobering thought: God measures our love for him by the love we show our brothers and sisters in everyday fellowship with them. It is a serious thing to realize that our love for God isn’t genuine if it fails the test of daily life with our fellow human beings. The same thing is true of humility. It is easy to think we humble ourselves before God. But humility before people is the only real proof that our humility before God is more than just a figment of our imagination.

If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we have not seen? [1 John 4:20]
































The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  [Psalm 46:7]

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Written by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), an English Baptist preacher, known as “the Prince of Preachers.”

Lord, help me to glorify thee. I am poor, help me to glorify thee by contentment. I am sick, help me to give thee honor by patience. I have talents, help me to extol thee by spending them for thee. I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve thee. I have a heart to feel, Lord, let that heart feel no love but thine, and glow with no flame but affection for thee. I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of thee and for thee. Thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord; show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose.  Amen.

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. [2 Timothy 3:10]































The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  [Psalm 46:7]

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Written by J. Ryan Lister, a contemporary professor of theology and author.

There is a difference between saying “God is everywhere,” and saying “God is here.” The former is the default category for most Christians. We talk about God’s presence being inescapable and that he is “everywhere present.” But it seems Scripture is more concerned with his presence manifest in relationship and redemption. And though these divine realities are certainly not at odds, the biblical story does turn on God’s being manifest with his people in Eden, the tabernacle/temple, the incarnation of Christ, and the new heaven and new earth.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?  [Psalm 139:7]






























The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  [Psalm 46:7]

Read Full Post »