I love this thought from Mark Batterson:

There are three ways to translate the Bible. You can translate it with:

1 – Your Mind
2 – Your Heart
3 – Your Life

I think a lot of us settle for the mental translation.

But the end result is information. And what happens is this: we learn more, do less, and think we’re growing spiritually. But not if that’s the only translation.

The second translation is emotional. And the emotional translation may seem more subjective than intellectual translation. But that is when our hearts break for the things that break the heart of God. It’s not just information. It’s transformation. For the record, I think one person with one deeply held conviction will make more of a difference than someone with a hundred good ideas. 

Finally, there is the life translation. That is when we become a “living epistle.” That is when the noun turns into a verb. And that is how we change the world. At the end of the day, Jesus isn’t going to say, “Well thought good and faithful servant.” He’s going to say, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Imagine a church filled with people who are translating the Bible with their lives!

No joke, the church is people, not a place.

I love Kara Powell’s updated version of “This is the church, this is the steeple”

This is the church building
This is the steeple
Open the doors
And see the church, which is people.

What are you putting your trust in? Work, money, skill, talent, ability, achievement, or accomplishment?

Where does your confidence come from?

King David wrote:

Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Chariots and horses were status symbols of a powerful army and strength. We must remember that if we trust in our own means, we’re constantly going to put a lid on what God can do through us.

The more abilities you have, the more tempted you’ll be to rely on your own strength.

Telling the truth may create tension but it is how to make the best decision.

If you’re not willing to tell the truth, you may be sacrificing best results for the team.

The early church was not centered around certain types of ministries.
The early church was centered around one man: Jesus.

He was real to them!