Unlike the fleeting hacks for lunches, cleaning, or relationships, there is a life hack that when we live it and strive to daily implement it, will radically change our lives. It will transform how you live, impact your health, wellness, emotions, and relationships, and it all flows from something given to you that will drive you. The truth, the real-life hack? Living each day in light of our sure hope in the living God who has redeemed us! Godliness matters! Intentionally living the faith, hope, love, and forgiveness of Jesus each day changes us, by his power, through his word.

It is not a matter of “If suffering will happen… It’s a When?” The better question then is “how do you experience the suffering?” Do you throw pity parties and live as a victim moping around in the darkness? The final secret to a great life is your life changed on a cross 2000 years ago. You are no longer a victim, but a victor in Jesus. Never Forget Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, this is the ultimate Biblical truth that leads to a truly great life, as it is that which proves God is trustworthy. What is truly remarkable about all of these reliable truths to a truly great life is that all are dependent on God’s faithfulness, not ours!

Are you choosing to follow influencers or leaders? We have the privilege of choosing those who will influence our world view, how we handle our emotions, morals, and values. We do this through the podcasts we listen to, the shows we stream, the friends we keep, the mentors we choose and media we consume. An influencers’ job is to get clicks, likes, and views, a leader’s job is to help develop, lead, correct, and train us for a life filled with faith based on our future. The next Biblical truth leading to a truly great life is choosing influencers who honor God, honor authority, and live with character and integrity. I know that sounds like the antithesis of all modern influencers, but Christ’s kingdom and ways are often upside-down from the worldly standpoint? We don’t like anyone overseeing us, yet it is critical that for a great life, we allow ourselves to be led well by faith filled leaders, and we become such leaders. In fact, there are some significant rewards to leading God’s way.

Living for family, friends, our social media followers, or even just our own view of ourselves is overwhelming and leads to a constant fear of imposter syndrome and not good enough. Our second Biblical truth leading to a truly great life is living every moment of every day for an audience of one! When we live for that ONE, it changes how we view ourselves, how we engage with others, and the power to overcome the past which has haunted and dominated our identity.

It all starts with understanding your view and an understanding of your identity. Think about it, what type of mirror are you using? Are you using the carnival mirror which distorts your image? When I have a disordered understanding of my own identity it impacts my emotions, relationships, and purpose in life. Or are you using a real mirror which clearly shows who you are? This type of mirror shows who we really are and reveals our need for rescue from ourselves. It helps reorientate ourselves with the one who created us. The first truth to focus on is our real identity, not the one we’ve created for ourselves.

It's so exciting to receive a special invitation to celebrate. That's exactly what God's kingdom is - a celebration. You're invited. Jesus has personally extended you such an invitation - no matter your past, no matter your history, no matter your status. It's a free invitation from him and it calls for a joyful response. It calls for preparing ourselves for the party. It calls us to dress ourselves in grace, mercy, and love, because Jesus has given us the proper attire for this feast - we just get to be those who wear it. Come and enjoy the celebration, having been clothed with Christ.  

Small things can have a big impact. A simple "Hello" tied to a smile can change someone's day. A well-timed compliment or "Thank you" can encourage someone when their heart is feeling down. A small seed can grow into a flower, a bush, even a tree. God's kingdom sometiems appears small. It sometimes looks to be insignificant, but God causes it to grow and grow and grow. He causes it to grow in people's hearts. He causes it to grow through the work of the church. He causes it to grow as you love, care for, encourage, and speak to others. It may seem small, but it has a big impact

What's the cost of entry? Whether it's the theme park, ball park, or skate park - it likely isn't free to get in. What about the magnificent, marvelous kingdom of God? What would it cost us to get in? It's not a material amount, and it's not some great deed that we can do, but there is a cost. The cost of humility. The cost of setting aside our pride and allowing God to carry us. The cost of repentance, which turns to God to receive his mercy, favor, and grace - all which he is so willing to give us, so much so that he didn't seem to even think twice about the great cost of forgiveness to him. He gave up his only Son, and Jesus gave up his life so that we could know this forgiveness. What a blessing! What a kingdom! What a king!

As we live in the kingdom into which God has brought us through his forgiveness, we too demonstrate forgiveness to others. Though we often assume that we live autonomous lives, we are interconnected with our God and with others. Everything we have is our God's - a recognition that leads us to see the debts we have owed him. Such debts have been forgiven because of God's grace In his kingdom, we are empowered and moved to freely forgive others their debts they owe us.

Some days go well and some don’t. Some days we feel like we’re on top of the world, and others like we’re on the bottom. If the value we place on our lives and ourselves is tied to how well things are going in our “everyday,” we’re going to be riding an uncomfortable roller coaster. We need something, someone we can look to for unchanging contentment no matter how our “everyday” is going. Paul had plenty of highs and lows, but learned the secret of contentment in any circumstances. His unchanging reason? Jesus. We can do everything through Him who gives us strength. If we have Jesus, we don’t need anything else. Genuine joy isn’t dictated by your changing circumstances, it is found in the unchangeable Lord.