Jesus is the "X" factor in us -- He allows us to do things that just don't seem possible from the outside looking in. When we choose to believe that God can accomplish anything and everything He says He will, we get a front-row seat to watch the impossible take place.

How many times have you heard (or said), "Jesus is the reason for the season"? The sentiment is good, but the reality is that WE are the reason for the season -- because WE are the reason He came to the world. He was born for us, He lived for us, He died for us, and He rose again for us -- all so that He could offer us a free gift of eternal life that we never earned or deserved. There is no greater Christmas gift, and all we have to do is accept it!

Our purpose in life is to give God our best and do anything for ourselves after -- but too often we get that backwards and do everything for ourselves first while giving God what's left over. Career, money, fame or material possessions will never bring us true joy, but when we're obedient to God and put His call on our lives first, He utilizes us for His work and blesses us in the process.

God's blessed us beyond what we could ever comprehend. And the best way to thank Him for all that He's given us is to turn around and give Him all that we have. The Lord's asking us to give generously, no matter how much or how little we have, because when we do, He always fills us with so much more.

When Jesus ate His last meal with His disciples, He took time to teach them the importance of remembering the suffering and death He was about to experience. It's in the process of giving thanks that we remember all that God gives to us. Jesus thanked His Father for what represented the worst suffering anyone could ever endure on the cross -- so let's be thankful in all things as we remember what He's done.

When we call out to God and ask Him to help us, then we have to be ready and willing to obey whatever He tells us to do in response -- even if it sounds crazy. And when we follow through on His answers to our call, we also have to remember to thank Him for the blessing we receive as a result.

Scripture teaches us that God is merciful. Gracious. Slow to anger. Quick to offer salvation for all those who choose to believe in Him. But His Word also reminds us that His mercy will come to an end for those who continue to hold onto their sin and refuse to repent.

When we repent from the sin that's left our lives broken and in pieces, we experience God's forgiveness. As we begin changing because of His grace, we need other people to help us pick up the pieces and show us what it looks like to live the Christian life. And as our lives begin to be made whole, we get to a place where we're able to help others in their brokenness, too.  

People walk through the doors of a church from all kinds of backgrounds and with all kinds of baggage. But no matter how different we are, God's called each of us to be part of His Church, and to be in community with one another. Let's live our lives as both "rockers" -- rocking the world by living out the Gospel -- and "knockers" -- pursuing God at all times!

Being smart is not the same thing as being wise. We can accumulate all the knowledge we want, but as children of God, we're instructed to grow in wisdom in order to make wise choices. The more we begin seeing things through God's eyes, the more we're able to live in obedience to Him.

Jesus taught us not to retaliate in the midst of our suffering, and He lived by His own words when He endured beatings and crucifixion on the day of His death. The Bible also tells us to have discernment and to seek God in every situation -- including in situations of abuse and domestic violence. If He tells us to stay and endure, we've got to trust that He has a greater plan for us, but if He tells us to go, then it's time to go.

Too many people want the benefit of salvation without the lordship of Christ in their lives. Only when we fully submit to Jesus do we experience the freedom He brings from the sins and entanglements of this world.

One of the greatest ways to determine how well we're letting God use us is to examine the parts of our lives that have been wasted. Instead of falling into temptations of distraction and temporary pleasure, we've got to run with endurance down the path He's called us to. We need wisdom in order to recognize the lies that the devil uses to take us captive, and choose to flee from them while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.

When we realize that Jesus’ death was the justice for our sin, we find peace with God. God provided a way of justice for our sins through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, so that we can be brought into perfect peace in relationship with Him. And when we have peace with God, we can see past our differences with others and extend peace to them, too.

Scripture compels us that no matter how spiritually mature we might act or feel, if it's not rooted in God-honoring love, it's meaningless. If God shows us an area of our lives that needs to change, our maturity is deepened when we listen and respond in obedience. Let's examine our hearts, listen to the counsel of others, and grow in love the way Christ first loved us!

We're called to give an account for what Christ has done in our lives. When we're prompted to share the Gospel, we have to summon the courage to step out in obedience and testify -- because we never know what God's doing behind the scenes.

There's nothing in this world -- no physical or spiritual power -- that can come against us if we're living in the power of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, God's given us His power to be more than conquerors. Let's walk with confidence in that truth, knowing He's already won (and because of that, we have too!).

These days, the world often feels "upside-down" more than it feels "right-side-up"! It's easy to allow the storms of fear and anxiety to take over our lives when we're surrounded by constant change. But we can take comfort in knowing that the Lord is always with us, and that He never changes. As children of God, let's trust Him to take care of us -- in this life, and for all eternity.  

When we listen to the Lord, He guides us to meet the needs of those who cross our path. But Scripture specifically tells us that when we give to others, we should do it in secret so that all the glory is given to God and not to ourselves. Everything we have is a gift from Him, so let's be good stewards of what's already His and distribute it where He leads us!

As Christians, we ought to be waiting on the Spirit to blow some wind in our sails -- and then allow Him to guide us where He wants us to go! Part of maturing in our faith is learning to look for the "tell tale signs" that God's working in someone or something, so that we can join Him in what He's doing. The Holy Spirit wants to use us to do extraordinary things -- so let's wait, listen, watch, and then respond in faith!

Jesus endured excruciating suffering in order for us to be saved. So when He tells us to "take up our cross" and follow Him, we'd better be ready to give our lives for His sake at any moment. Being "cross fit" means that whether we die physically for our faith or not, we still need to die to ourselves and follow His will each and every day.

The Christian life is a race we're running through this temporary world -- but often, it's less of a sprint and more of a marathon! Whether our journey is long or short, the devil is always seeking to do everything he can to try and take us out of the race. That's why we've got to let go of past struggles, current burdens, and anything else that's holding us back, and focus on the prize that's waiting for us at the finish line.

Many people walk through life fearing all the "what ifs" that could happen. But when we put our faith in God, we trade our "what ifs" for "what is" -- and what is certain is that God promises to take care of us, provide for all our needs, and work all things for our good, no matter what negative situations come our way.

Half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. It's so common in this country, many couples have "pre-nupes" drafted before they even get married to decide how things will be divided when they inevitably split up! In order to have a God-honoring level of love and commitment in our marriages, we have to do things His way. And His way requires building our relationship on the Rock that is Jesus Christ.