Miracles are not well thought of in some circles today. In fact they are usually viewed with varying degrees of suspicion or, by some, with outright rejection. To some it is an insult to the rational mind to propose that God in this day of enlightenment would interrupt the flow of cause and effect and change the course of natural events. Would He dare to defy our natural minds?

The chronicles of history are filled with the accounts of successful people. Time, space and/or the lack of knowledge prohibit a listing and description of such people. Hebrews 11 is the roll call of the faithful with a listing of Godly people dating back to Adam. A man whom I consider to be one of the greatest men of all time (with the exception of the Lord Jesus Christ) is not listed in that chapter, quite possibly because he may have been the person who wrote it: the Apostle Paul.

One might sometimes despair at the instability of people who should know better. The writer of Hebrews speaks of such people in the following terms: "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12 NKJ).

Today's world conditions demand leadership that is strong, discerning, and focused. With such leaders, those being led can safely rely on that leadership, trust it, and will rise up to support it thus propelling forward Kingdom work. Paul voiced a question that embodies the very issues we are speaking to: "For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle" (1Corinthians 14:8 NKJ)?

There are times, needs and situations that require the raising up of people who are beyond ordinary - ordinary people who do super-ordinary things. Caleb was one of those people.

There is an aura of warm fuzziness that tends to surround the body of Christ that is due to its tendency to see itself in the role of martyr-ism rather than to be the overcomers that Christ intends.

On one occasion I heard someone say that the job of the preacher is to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. I think that statement is right up to a point. It is my opinion that many people would rather see themselves as victims than as overcomers and, therefore, seek out those that offer solace rather than those that prod them toward personal responsibility.

Many wonder if they are in the will of God, often going through great inward struggles in the process. All of us have been there at one time or the other. Today's text gives hope for those who are caught up in that quandary and helps to dispel their fears. The Psalmist declares that the Father determines the steps that we take in life: "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" (Psalms 37:23).

Ambition is the antithesis of contentment and is a great unsettler, causing one to struggle against situations he is in, to be dissatisfied with the possessions he has and/or to question the nature of his relationships with others. All of this manifests itself in discontentment.

In addressing this subject I feel that I have to walk a very narrow line, one with a precipice on either side. One can be gripped in the throes of complacency that stifles any development or advances in his personal life, professional life, or spiritual life. On the other hand he can be consumed with ungodly ambition which can ultimately cost him everything. According to Paul, "Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6).

Finally, after many years of defeat in this very vital area of my Christian walk, I noticed that in only one scriptural location was I encouraged to win souls: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30). I discovered that in multiple locations both by example and admonition the scripture taught that I should be a "discipler" which seemed to be a much broader and "slower paced" kind of approach.

The Christian life can become so complicated and mundane that we lose sight of the simplicity that is in Christ. In the early years of my ministry He was all I knew. It was never my desire to be philosophical, psychological or even theological. I just wanted to know Him. I could relax in Him and draw from His wonderful love and benevolent care as I heard His voice saying: "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy ladened and I will give you rest."

It would seem that a relatively few people grasp the potential of an effective prayer life. Many extol its benefits who fail to actively engage in its practices.

Revelation knowledge is a powerful force in one's life. A person will go no further, climb no higher, nor sacrifice more than the greatness of revelation knowledge in his life enables and demands. Such revelation is the essence of what Paul spoke of in Ephesians 1:17-19 when he prayed: "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe."

In the early 1970s I was the pastor of a church in south central Missouri. In those years we experienced much of the wonderful graciousness of our Lord. It was easy for people to get saved and the Christian life was one of great joy. Many things happened that were very memorable during that pastorate.

A young man named [Bill] came to me on one occasion wanting spiritual counsel. He was married and was the father of a young child. The story he told me was one of drunkenness, debauchery, and infidelity. At my suggestion he went through a period of personal cleansing from the defilement of sin and fully surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus.

We consistently confess that which we believe the most. "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34b). What we believe, we speak. "I believed, and therefore have I spoken" (2 Corinthians 4:13b)

Anxiety is the antithesis of faith. When we are anxious, we are not believing and when we are believing, we are not anxious. It is that simple.

It was quite a struggle for me to come to the place that I could believe that God could do anything. When I began to realize that the work of God depends of the faithfulness of God, it was then that I started depending on Him instead of on me or on others.

Key ingredients to a walk of faith and victory are concepts, attitudes, and life expressions.