Our approach to God must involve two things that seem contrary to each other.

But just as husband and wife are nearly opposite, when they come together, they complete each other.

Friendship and reverence.

These two things must be equally present for our relationship with God to be what it should be.

Most think you have to choose between friendship and reverence. But you don't have to give up one for the other.

Bring them both together, and you'll find yourself closer to God than you ever thought possible.

Recommended book → 7 Spirits of God: Unlocking the Fullness of the Holy Spirit

According to the Bible, there is a way to prosper and succeed in all you do.

It's found in Joshua 1:8: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."

Speak. Meditate. Do.

These are the three things we must do with the Word of God in order to live a successful life.

There's plenty of teaching about speaking and doing. But not enough about meditating.

We are all skilled at meditating, which is simply turning something over and over in our thoughts. We just tend to meditate on the wrong things.

Instead of trying to figure out how to make more money, or fix your spouse, or what your symptoms might mean, fix your thoughts on the Word of God.

You have a promise. If you meditate on God's Word, success is the only option. It's just up to you to fix your thoughts.

Recommended Book → God's End-Time Wealth Transfer: Position Yourself for Great Wealth

I would estimate that 90% of people who tag "in Jesus' name" onto their prayers aren't actually praying in Jesus' name.

Jesus gave us permission to ask God for anything in His name and He will do it.

This is why people begin or end their prayers with, "In Jesus' name." But let me shake things up a bit.

Jesus wasn't giving us an outro to tag on to our prayers. He was revealing the position we must take when we pray.

We are to show up before God in prayer as if Jesus Himself is showing up.

We must recognize that we are in Christ, so there is no difference between us and Him when it comes to God listening when we pray.

Did God do everything Jesus asked? Yes.

Was Jesus timid in His asking? No.

Take your position in Christ and pray like Jesus Himself is praying.

Recommended Book → A Guide to Effective Prayer: Partner with God to Accomplish His Will on the Earth

When you speak of things people have done wrong, offense is being revealed.

If you had no offense in your heart, you wouldn't speak of the problem. You would speak only of the solution.

And most of the time, the solution is to go to the Father and pray, "Help me see them the way you do. Change me to be a better influence in their life. Give them the abundant grace and mercy you've given me."

God is not thinking about what we do wrong. He is thinking about how He already paid the price through His Son, Jesus Christ.

He is patiently and constantly working in us, giving us the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.

To be like our Father, not only do we need to keep from speaking of what people do wrong, but we need to stop thinking about it.

Our focus must be on the power of Jesus Christ, who delivers and rescues all of us from sin.

Recommended Book → Love Hijacked: Return to Your First Love Before It's Too Late

The gift of the apostle that Christ gave to the church is still active today.

Even though many passionately teach otherwise, there is no Scripture that revokes or retires the gift.

Yes, there are those who call themselves apostles but are not. Even so, the true gift of the apostle still stands.

It's time for the church to stop allowing false teachers and false apostles to prevent us from receiving the true gift.

To mature in Christ, we need all five of His gifts to be active in the church: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher.

It's only when we allow all five of these gifts to mature us that we begin to measure up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

When you become righteous through Christ, you set yourself in full opposition to the world around you.

As a result, you face many challenges and obstacles in life. This is contrary to what most expect the Christian life to be like.

Without knowing what I am about to tell you, many Christians get worn down by life's challenges and become numb.

This stems from a belief that the Christian life won't be challenged. We imagine a life free from opposition, only to be discouraged when it never comes.

Here's what you need to know. Jesus didn't promise you a life without opposition.

He actually confirmed what Psalm 34 says: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."

Many challenges will come. But never be discouraged, because the Lord has a rescue plan each time.

He takes what the enemy meant for evil and turns it for good.

Recommended Book → A Guide for Effective Prayer: Partner with God to Accomplish His Will on the Earth