We don’t have to make the bible relevant — it is — but we have to show its relevance. – Rick Warren
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
God’s purpose from the very beginning of time has been to make us like Jesus. In Genesis there was the fall – Jesus came to restore that which was lost (Luke 19:10). …

The purpose of the Bible is changed lives! The purpose of preaching is changed lives!
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”  (Proverbs 19:21, NIV)
Few pastors have become more influential in shaping church life today than Rick Warren, founding pastor of Saddleback Community Church in Southern California’s Orange County. Under his leadership, the church grew from the Warren family alone to regular worship attendance of more than 15,000 each weekend. Warren has taken the insights he learned at Saddleback and shared them …

Any Christian who is not rooted in the Word of God has no roots!
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)
In April 2002, I took my daughter to Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg Virginia so she could hear Dr. Jerry Falwell preach for the first time. It just happened to be Dr. Falwell’s 50th anniversary of committing his life to Christ.
Dr. Falwell shared his personal testimony, …

Knowing Jesus invites the power of God into my life and circumstances!
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)
There is no such thing as a pickle tree. There is only one way to get pickles – by transforming cucumbers. If you take a cucumber – young or old, large or small – and immerse it in vinegar for long enough, it will become a …

Jesus is the incarnation of God’s Word!
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1,14)
Have you ever heard someone deny that Jesus claimed to be God? Such a statement simply doesn’t make sense. Repeatedly, Jesus placed Himself on equal footing with the Father and the Holy Spirit. (John 10:30; 14:6-14) Scripture …

“I’ve never felt more free in my life, and I was in a prison.” – Josh Orndorff
“Do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” John 1:50b
Yesterday I shared how Daniel Chinen, a 17 year old high school student from Hawaii, went to Argentina for a summer mission trip a few years ago, and then came back home to ignite a flame for transforming the entire state of Hawaii. What was the key? He witnessed and practiced the principles of prayer evangelism taught by Harvest Evangelism. He experienced the …

One day of favor (from the King) can be worth a lifetime of labor!
“My Lord, if I (Abraham) have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant.” (Genesis 18:3)
Wow! Wow! Wow! Something amazing happened yesterday (Sep 12) in the hospital (marketplace) where I work. I was exposed to an idea (revelation) that can rapidly and radically transform the schools in Culpeper and Virginia. One revelation can change your life or city forever!
The word “favor” appears 96 times in the NKJV version of the Bible. The …

 Hunger for the Word of God is hunger to know God!
But Jesus answered him (Satan), saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” (Luke 4:4)
As an anesthesiologist, I often talk to patients preop who are about to undergo colonscopies. These patients must undergo a bowel prep to empty the colon. This includes fasting from solid food for at least one day. Whenever one of these patients tells me they are “starving,” I’m reminded about the millions of poor people around the …

Busyness is the great enemy of relationships!
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10)
Today is the 5th anniversary of 9-11. Today, people all over America will pause to remember the victims and honor the families of those who lost their lives in the horrible tragedies in New York City and at the Pentagon.
Nearly every day, I see people experiencing a different kind of 9-11 in their own personal lives – a sense of hopelessness …

More than anything else, God demands our obedience!
Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:22-24)
At the end of 2005, I prepared a list of top goals for 2006 for six areas of my life. One of my top spiritual …