Do you have any bitterness in your life? This is not the type of question that we normally ponder. Yet, the costs of not addressing this issue are high and varied. Bitterness is often connected to anxiety, worry, depression, and fear. Marriages often dissolve and families frequently disintegrate when bitterness is left unaddressed. The Bible wars against unrestrained bitterness, because the God of heaven does not want anyone to suffer these terrible effects. We are reminded in Hebrews 12:15 to be careful of a bitter lifestyle, where we read, “Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” One of the dangers of bitterness is that while it destroys the vessel it is in, it also damages those vessels that they are around. To many people have allowed this characteristic to hinder their relationships, their effectiveness, and their joy, and in so doing they poison the people around them. Evaluate your heart today, and see if there is any root of bitterness growing in your soul. If so, weed it out, don’t attempt to bury it deeper, rather, pull out the root so … READ MORE

The date was around 430 BC. The place is Jerusalem. the account is told in the book of Malachi. Some years before, the people had returned from exile in Babylon and found the city in ruins. The people of Israel began to rebuild the temple and to rebuild the city walls. However, as the people began to settle into their lives, they forgot the lessons of exile and they began to put their own priorities in front of God’s priorities. The people began to neglect the proper worship of God – even the priests were guilty. Their reasons for doing so were problems similar to our own reasons for not striving for excellence. The reasons we do not strive for excellence generally fall into three categories:1) Expedience – doing things cheap and easy. It was easier and cheaper for Israel to offer a defective animal than a more excellent one. Things haven’t changed much. We trust try to “get by” in life, even as Christians. We think that leftovers are good enough for God. We attempt to give God what is left over rather than what comes first. Then we wonder why God doesn’t bless our lives.2) We simply possess … READ MORE

Excellence is the quality of work that we are called to as followers of Jesus Christ. God is not impressed with a slick program or flashy audio-visuals; what matters to Him are internal things like love, compassion, and humility. God is primarily concerned with our hearts, why He does care about those outward things as an expression of our hearts. The level of commitment we have to doing things well, to honoring God in every area of our lives – reveals what is in our hearts. What does excellence look like?

1) It is offering the best of or time and talent in preparation and execution of God’s service.

2) We do God’s service with a superior quality that reflects the eternal impact of Kingdom work.

3) Our service honors God and inspires greatness in others.

4) It is a proper reflection of God at work in us.

5) It is fitting worship to God.

There are many causes to which we can devote our time and effort. But there is only one cause that is worthy of every ounce of work, devotion, labor, sacrifice, suffering, dedication – Only one cause that is worth giving our lives for every day. … READ MORE