Horticulture is not so easy as merely planting a seed and watching it grow. Tending and keeping implies continually watering, fertilizing, and cultivating.

Sanctification is the longest, most difficult, and most grueling part of the conversion process—a time when suffering and sacrifice are demanded of us.

God intends that we give ourselves as living sacrifices, mortifying our carnal nature, allowing God to consume our abilities in service.

God does not do things uselessly, and certainly does not need our physical goods. Being a living sacrifice produces successful living.

It behooves us not only to accept God's will, but also to earnestly desire it as our will, and not to kick against the goads, as Saul initially reacted.

What do we think when we hear a message about the coming Tribulation? Do sermons about prophecy make us uncomfortable?

Though Paul's spiritual credentials outstripped all of his coworkers, Paul used none of his rights as an apostle, but gave his life as a sacrifice.

God wants us to take our salvation seriously, walking in love, light, and wisdom, attaining the know-how to work out our own salvation, redeeming the time.

Christ endured many more than three temptations; rather, He was tested continuously, and perhaps the intensity increased as He neared the end of His life.

The 'Pierre De Coubertin Medal' is given out for sportsmanship, honoring generous behavior toward competing athletes—much harder to win than a gold medal.

Protestant theology recognizes that Christian self-discipline presents a major logical difficulty in its keystone doctrine of 'by grace alone.'

Faith, hope and love are spiritual gifts which safeguard us from discouragement and depression, giving us a mature perspective that will last eternally.

Without daily contact with God in prayer and Bible study, and without continual contact with the brethren, we may lose the determination to persevere.

The elite athlete is the one with the gritty persistence and tenacity to fight on regardless of the obstacles, wanting nothing to do with mediocrity.

Like businessmen reviewing plans, making forecasts, and anticipating accountability, God expects us to define and follow through on spiritual objectives.

We do not think about crowns much, but one awaits us if we continue in the faith! The Bible describes the crowns we will receive when we enter God's Kingdom.

We must be careful not to get too accustomed to the things of this world so that we find it difficult to leave it behind, like Lot's hapless wife.

None of the heroes of faith faced their challenges by themselves, but were aware of God's protection and power, a power much greater than themselves.

The most dangerous lap we encounter is when everyone around us tends to be compromising. Today, what was once aberrant behavior is now considered normal.

Like Jesus and other heroes of faith, we need to look beyond the present to the long term effects of the trials and tests we go though, seeing their value.