The spiritual realities in our lives should apply and should be measurable with others, no matter the circumstances. His presence does not hope off us when we step out of the doors of the Church. We are call to represent Him and his compassion to he has for his church to the world.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy. - Proverbs 13:12. How does your hope hold up during trials and tribulations? As Christians we know we need to trust in God's plan but when times get tough are we willing too? Or do we give into that numbness and dispair of the situation we are facing. Paul sets the example every leader should follow when facing a crises, if we are willing to trust God.

We live in a world full of short cuts, quick fixes and instant gratification, but is it preparing us for life's trials? While sometimes we can get a piece of paper saying we are qualified it is hard work and dedication that prepares us. Growing in our Christian life needs discipline, will power, desire, determination and perseverance. While it is easy to take the short cut it will never produce the fruit that discipline will bring.

In the desert it is consider a sin if you know where the water is but do not share that information. As Christians, Jesus has given us living water, but are we sharing it with a thirsty and hurting world or are we hoarding the water to ourselves? Are we willing to share with other's how they can find living water too?

God made a covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15. In the covenant Abraham got everything that was God's and God took everything that was Abraham's, there was just one thing. In Exodus 3, Moses learned that God had heard His people's cries and was going to free them, there was just one thing. When we get born again,submit our life to Jesus, we make covenant with God so everything God has is mine and everything I have is God's! It's a great deal, but is there just one thing that God is dealing with you?

A recent survey divided Church goers into 4 groups, exploring God, beginning with God, Close to God and God Center. Another way to look at these groups through Jesus' parable of the four soils. Are walk can be defined as fellowship, relationship, discipleship, or lordship. Question is which ship are you on?

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is? - Matthew 16:13 Many of us are familiar with Peter's confession of Jesus as Messiah, but why did this take place in Caesarea Philippi? It was a pagan city at the very northern end of Israel and not an easy journey to arrive in. What reason could God have for reveling Jesus' deity here?

Every generation since the ascension of Jesus has believed they were living in the final days, so what's different now? The mile marker is the nation of Israel and the events around the world that are affecting this biblical nation. So how should we look at today's events in light of the bible?

Just as the body is dead without a spirit, so also faith is dead without good deeds. - James 2:26. As Christians we need to do more than talk a spiritual lifestyle, we need to walk it and model it also. We are not saved by works but we need to seek God's word everyday and develop our character so we may fulfill the potential that God has placed inside each one of us.

2 Peter 1:1-11 gives Christians a ladder to climb. Many Christians start up the ladder, but then settle on the 1st rung (Faith) or the 2nd rung (God's Promises). But for us to continue to grow as followers of Christ, we need to continue strive and climb this ladder. So which rung are you on?