Category Archives: Bible

Lessons From the Prodigal Son

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Mark Cole

Few stories Jesus told are as rich, relatable, and revealing as the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32). It’s a story about rebellion, brokenness, repentance, and extravagant grace. But more than that, it’s a mirror—showing us not only who … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Jesus | Tagged authority, bitter, bondage, brokenness, celebrate, celebration, come home, compassion, critical, divided heart, drifting, emptiness, Father's heart, freedom, grace, hardship, honor, loss, mercy, overpromises, pain, parable, poverty, prodigal son, rebellion, relationship, repentance, repentant, restore, servant, sin, Sonship, to his senses | Leave a comment

A Better Way Than “What Feels Right”

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Mark Cole

There’s a simple but sobering line repeated in the Book of Judges: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” At first, that sounds like freedom—people making their own choices, guided by … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Wisdom | Tagged bondage, choices, clarity, compromise, confusion, convictions, decisions, desire, drift, easy, fear, feelings, follow your heart, freedom, God's truth, good, gradual, in their own eyes, inner conflict, leads to life, life, live-giving, peace, popular, pressure, pride, self-deception, stability, true, truth, unravel, what feels right | Leave a comment

When Heaven Celebrates: What Moves the Heart of God

Posted on April 19, 2026 by Mark Cole

Have you ever stopped to think about what causes celebration in heaven? We often picture heaven as a place filled with constant joy—and it is. But the Bible gives us a surprising and deeply personal glimpse into what triggers that … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Jesus | Tagged Angels, back to God, celebration, faith, heaven, heaven rejoices, humble, humility, joy, joy in heaven, lost coin, lost sheep, love, Love God, obedience, obey, prodigal son, repents, sinner, trust God | Leave a comment

Lessons From the Life of Samson

Posted on April 19, 2026 by Mark Cole

Samson’s story is one of the most fascinating—and sobering—in the Bible. He was a man of incredible strength, chosen by God for a special purpose, yet deeply flawed in his character and decisions. His life, recorded in Judges 13–16, offers … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Leadership | Tagged back to God, blinded, calling, cautionary tale, character, closer to God, compromise, desires, did not know, end of the story, failure, finish well, God's presence, guard your heart, lessons, Presence of God, purpose, Samson, strength, strong | Leave a comment

What Did Jesus Mean by “Take Up Your Cross”?

Posted on April 18, 2026 by Mark Cole

When Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me,” He was not offering a poetic slogan. He was laying out the true cost—and the deep purpose—of following Him. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Leadership | Tagged ambition, approval, calling, challenges, character, comfort, control, cross, decision, depth, dying, endurance, faith, faithful, follow Jesus, follow Me, forgiving, habits, honesy, humble, humility, integrity, Not my will, obedience, obey, pride, recognition, sacrifice, serving, sinful, strength, Surrender, take up your cross, true life, your cross | Leave a comment

The Cost and Blessings of Following Jesus

Posted on April 18, 2026 by Mark Cole

Following Jesus is the greatest decision a person can make—but it is not an easy one. In a society that celebrates comfort, self-promotion, and independence, the call of Christ cuts across the grain. He never hid that truth. He spoke … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Jesus | Tagged blessing, blessings, comfort, cost, cost us, daily decision, day by day, deny himself, direction, division, eternal life, eternity, follow Me, following Jesus, grace, His presence, humble, inside out, integrity, loving, ministry, obedience, obey, patient, pride, purpose, relationship with God, relationships, reward, self-rule, soul, step by step, transformation, truth, Your will | Leave a comment

The Power of a Cheerful Heart

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Mark Cole

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” — Proverbs 17:22 There is more power in a cheerful heart than most people realize. It’s not shallow optimism or forced positivity—it’s a deep, settled joy … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Health, Wisdom | Tagged best medicine, better, change your life, cheerful, choice, choose joy, energy, God is good, God is in control, good medicine, gratitude, guard your heart, heart, heavy spirit, improves, joyful, joyful spirit, medicine, physical health, relationships, relaxed, think clearer, time with God, trust in the Lord, Working all things | Leave a comment

The Unseen Power of Humility

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Mark Cole

Jesus said it plainly: “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Those words aren’t just spiritual—they’re intensely practical. They show up in everyday moments, even on a pickleball court. You’ve already seen … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Jesus, Leadership, Sports, Wisdom | Tagged arrived, better decisions, consistency, decisions, declines, disrespect, grace, grounded, growth, honor, humble, humility, insight, leader, learner, mindset, musician, patience, pickleball, play better, pride, respect, student, teachable | Leave a comment

The Upside-Down Path: The Power of Humility

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Mark Cole

Jesus made a statement that cuts against the grain of everything our culture promotes: “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” At first glance, it sounds like a warning—and it is. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Jesus, Leadership | Tagged appreciated, comparing, competition, contentment, credit, dependence on God, exaltation, exalted, giving credit, heart of God, humble, humbled, humility, importance, listen, peace, posture of the heart, pride, promote, self-exaltation, servant, serving, teachable, upside down, way up | Leave a comment

No Two Battles Alike: How God Brings Victory

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Mark Cole

If you read the Old Testament carefully, one thing becomes very clear: God rarely wins battles the same way twice. Sometimes He uses overwhelming force. Other times, He reduces an army to almost nothing. He wins through strategy, miracles, confusion, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Leadership, Worship | Tagged 300, battle, battle is the Lord's, battles, confusion, courage, David, eyes on God, faith, faithfulness, follow Me, formula, Gideon, Jericho, listen, marched, method, miracles, obedience, obey, pray, Samson, Shamgar, shepherd boy, silence, strategy, strength, tested, Trust, victories, victory, weapon, willing, wisdom, Worship, worshipped | Leave a comment

Category Archives: Bible

Lessons From the Prodigal Son

A Better Way Than “What Feels Right”

When Heaven Celebrates: What Moves the Heart of God

Lessons From the Life of Samson

What Did Jesus Mean by “Take Up Your Cross”?

The Cost and Blessings of Following Jesus

The Power of a Cheerful Heart

The Unseen Power of Humility

The Upside-Down Path: The Power of Humility

No Two Battles Alike: How God Brings Victory

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