• Godly Choices

  Any ungodly act—whether it involves substance abuse, sexual immorality, or “stepping on” coworkers to get ahead—endangers one’s future for the sake of present gratification. Even the unremarkable choices facing us can impact the rest of our lives. So we should guard against the following attitudes, which can lead to sacrificing what is worthwhile for something with no lasting value.

• Good Decisions

  Scripture confirms that the familiar expression, “You reap what you sow,” is accurate (Job 4:8; Prov. 11:18). Esau learned this truth the hard way. Famished, he returned from hunting and requested a bowl of the stew his brother was cooking. Jacob seized upon the opportunity—he agreed to share the food in exchange for his older twin’s birthright.

• Life-Changing Prayer

  Philippians 4:6 says that it’s good to bring requests to the Lord, and we often ask Him for certain blessings, desired outcomes, and healing for loved ones. But there are times when, in God’s omniscience, He sees that a “no” would ultimately result in greater good.

• A Real Enemy

  Let’s play a little game. Imagine that you’re a soldier during wartime. You’ve made it through basic training, mastered the weapons of war, memorized all the relevant warfare strategies, and are heading into battle.

• Dressed for Battle

  When you wake up in the morning and get dressed for the day, you’re probably not thinking about stepping onto a battlefield. But the enemy is all around us, constantly assaulting our hearts and minds with temptations, adversities, emotional attacks, and more. And some days, it feels as though we are standing on the front lines of combat with no protection whatsoever.