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  Good Decisions Always Line-up With God’s Word “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NIV) Essentials for Living Every day, we make one decision after another, and it can be hard to know how to make those decisions. But here’s a simple principle: If you want to make good decisions, listen to God. The Bible says, “If you want better insight and discernment . . . learn the importance of reverence for the Lord and of trusting him . . . He shows how to distinguish right from wrong, how to find the right decision every time” (Proverbs 2:3, 5, 9 TLB). So how do you listen to God? One major way God speaks is through his Word. So when you’re making a decision, ask yourself: “Is my decision in harmony with God’s Word?” When you’re making a decision, you’re choosing what’s going to be your ultimate authority in life. It really boils down to this choice: God’s Word or the world. Are you going to base your decisions on what God says or what other people say...

YOU CAN'T Connect if you DON'T commit “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” -  Proverbs 18:24 (ESV) You Can’t Connect If You Don’t Commit Good relationships don’t happen by accident. They take cultivation, work, and a lot of time. They take commitment! I can’t count the number of times my wife Kay and I have felt like walking out of our marriage, particularly in the early years. We often thought, “This is not worth it. We’re so different. This marriage will never work.” But we didn’t walk out. Why? Because we’d made a commitment. We took a vow—“till death do us part”—not just to each other but also to God. So we said, “We’re going to keep this commitment even if it kills us.” And it nearly did! There have been times in our marriage when the only thing keeping us together was that commitment—not love or interest but simply the commitment we made to God. I’m so glad we did not give up. Today, my wife is my best friend...

 “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” - Proverbs 11:13 (NIV) Is Gossip Destroying Your Relationships? We tend to think of gossip as one of those “little” sins. But when God talks about gossip, he puts it on the list with things like sexual immorality and murder. Why? Because it is so destructive to relationships. Gossip can tear apart friendships, families, and churches. When you gossip, you talk about a situation with somebody who is neither a part of the problem nor a part of the solution. If we’re honest, gossiping often makes us feel a little more important at somebody else’s expense. We’re talking about their hurts and their problems to make us feel like we’re morally superior to them. That’s the danger and the hurt of gossip.  There’s a story in the Old Testament about a family that struggled with gossip. Moses had siblings named Miriam and Aaron who got caught up gossiping about him. So God called all three of them to come see him. H...

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35 (NIV) The Bible is the most despised, derided, denied, disputed, dissected, and debated book in all of history. It has been under attack for centuries, for everything you can imagine.  Yet the Bible is still the most read, most published, and most translated book in the world. And, most importantly, it’s still changing the lives of those who apply what it teaches. One of the reasons I believe the Bible is God’s Word is that it has survived so many attacks throughout history. At different times throughout history, it’s been illegal to own a Bible. In fact, that’s still true in some places today. Many people have been arrested, jailed, and even killed because they refused to give up their copies of the Bible. And still the Bible has survived. Despite all the attacks, today the Bible is the greatest single source for so many cultural achievements. It’s the greatest source for music, art, and architectu...

​ Four Habits to fortify Your Faith “Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit.” 1 Timothy 4:7 (TLB) If you want God to use you, then you need to fortify your faith. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:7, “Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit” (TLB).  I wonder how many people wake up thinking, “I get to exercise today!” I certainly don’t. But I do know that we all need both physical and spiritual exercise. I also know this about exercise: I want the most benefit I can get out of every minute I exercise, whether it’s physical or spiritual.  To get the most out of your spiritual exercise, practice these four spiritual habits that will fortify your faith.   Study the Bible. Your Bible study needs to be personal. You can’t depend on somebody else’s study of the Bible to fortify your faith. You have to do it yourself. The Bible says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us re...

​Biazai: "Yearning Trails: From Hakha to Gangaw" In the land of Hakha, where I now reside, A longing tugs at my heart's gentle tide. For in the distance, far away, you see, Lies a place called Gangaw, where my family be. Oh, how I miss those joyful days, When laughter echoed through familiar hallways. Home, where happiness blossoms and thrives, Where love's embrace forever survives. In Gangaw's embrace, my heart finds solace, Amongst the smiles that light up each face. The sound of voices, like a sweet melody, Fills the air with a symphony of glee. I yearn for the warmth of our cherished abode, Where stories were shared and memories sowed. The walls that hold echoes of laughter and cheer, Whisper tales of a family so dear. Oh, the nights, how I long for their embrace, As stars danced above with celestial grace. The comfort of home, a sanctuary so grand, Where dreams take flight, hand in hand. The aroma of meals, prepared with care, Wafts through the air, a delicio...