Matt. 10:38–39 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. Read the context In high school, two of my friends trained for the Marines by running in a weighted vests after class. I jogged along uninhibited. I remember thinking: drop the weight... it'll be easier. But that was the point. The Christian life is that kind of training. Jesus said so himself... take up your...

1 Tim. 6:11–12 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Read the context If you walk against a crowd... expect to bump into people. That's the reality of the Christian life — it's a call to live differently. Is it worth it? Paul says this fight of faith is...

Psalm 27 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Read the context Everything is instant in our world today. Groceries, movies, even the ability to see someone via video chat. I don't want to wait. "Patience is a virtue" I don't desire. But faith is a waiting game. When life drags on, when health makes days feel like years, the waiting is real. But the Lord is coming. He...