Some of the strongest teaching by Jesus focused on the topic of forgiveness. Jesus was approached by one of His disciples in Matthew 18:21, with this question: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” I’m certain that Peter, who asked this question, anticipated a response by Jesus such as: “Peter, your generosity of grace is so amazing! You’ve gone overboard with forgiveness.” The problem is, however, Peter had a limit in mind as to the extent of forgiveness. He was drawing a line in the sand; he was establishing a quota to how far forgiveness would go. If one is focused on the limitations of forgiveness, then they are keeping a record of wrongs committed which is a clear violation of love (see 1 Cor. 13:5).

We always release what we're most full of.

I've been so blessed these days as I observe people being touched by the presence of God. Over the last few years, I have personally witnessed hundreds of miracles. It has led to an even greater hunger for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In almost every meeting that I lead, I usually close our time together with an impartation. In Romans 1:11, Paul wrote, "For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established." The verb impart (metadidimi) means to give something over to someone else; to place upon another person something that you possess. Paul was referring to a supernatural gift in this verse believing that it would be established in these Christians in Rome.

Is Jesus truly the air that we breathe?

There’s an interesting verse that I’ve been trying to wrap my head around in Numbers. God was defending Moses to Miriam and Aaron. He described Moses as a prophet like no other, and then God stated: “With him I speak mouth to mouth” (Exodus 12:8). God didn’t speak to Moses in visions, riddles, and mysteries like the other prophets; rather, His dialogue with Moses was so intimate that they were mouth to mouth with each other.

Have you been tempted to give up lately?

As I travel across the nation and look into the eyes of God’s people, there seems to be a universal challenge facing Christ followers, and it is the challenge of overcoming discouragement. Discouragement is a real battle for God’s people. Some are fighting financial battles while others are walking through physical issues. Still others are facing spiritual or emotional struggles and some people are facing extreme persecution. No one is exempt from battles this side of eternity; Jesus clearly told us that in this world we would experience tribulation (John 16:33) and add to this, the reality that we face a real enemy whose occupation is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).

Do you have any idea of the enormous power that God has placed within you?

Peter and John were on their way to a prayer meeting when they encountered a crippled man by the temple gate. The lame man was asking for alms and he expected to receive something from the two disciples of Jesus. What he received, however, was beyond what he could have asked or imagined. Peter said to the crippled beggar, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk” (Acts 3:6). What an incredible response! Peter released what he was most full of; namely, the power of God.

Do you know what God is looking for?

I remember a particular service at our church when I stopped the singing. There was nothing wrong with the song we were singing, but there was apathy in our response toward God that day that was almost oppressive. When I stood up and looked out over the crowd I saw people on their phones. Others were sitting with their arms folded and still others stood singing with little to no passion. Perhaps a few were engaged in true worship that day, but the vast majority in the crowd that day was unmoved, unresponsive, distracted and disengaged.

What is one of the greatest needs of the Church?

My friend Hal Perkins spent a few days ministering to our church. His influence has left a tremendous impact not only upon our congregation, but also in my personal life. Hal challenged us by saying that the Church doesn’t need as many leaders as it does followers. We need less people standing before our churches and declaring, “I think” or “I feel” or “I want.” Hal’s response to those kinds of statements is humorous but convicting: “who cares?” The real question is: what does Jesus say? The greatest leader is a follower. The greatest need of the hour in our churches is for men and women to move only at the impulse of Jesus. If you think about it, Jesus lived as a follower and therefore is our greatest leader. He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner” (John 5:19).

Do you know what the most destructive weapon is?

We’ve all heard about “weapons of mass destruction,” but in reality the most devastating weapon known to humanity is our tongue. In the epistle of James, we’re told that a human being does not have the power or ability (apart from Christ) to tame the tongue. In fact, James calls the tongue a “restless” evil (see James 3:8); a word used only here to describe something that is unrestrainable, unstable, and prone to great harm. James says that the tongue is “full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). Poison (ios) describes venom that is emitted from a snake that paralyzes their prey so that the snake can consume them. Think about it this way: your words can immobilize another person, rendering them easy prey for the enemy to destroy. Words have the ability to wound, injure, scar, and destroy another human being.

Have you ever seen a stagnant pool of water?

A few weeks ago, I read a story written by Judy Franklin who contributed several chapters to the book entitled, Walking in the Supernatural. This story was a vision she had about people gathering around a fountain drinking, splashing, and having a great time. The fountain was so strong at times that it would gush over the edges of the bowl, covering the ground. As people observed the flow of water, someone said, “Let’s go build a cistern to hold the water.” Their statement, though logical, was made out of fear that one day the source would soon run dry, so the people dug a cistern and carried buckets of water until the cistern was full. When the cistern was filled, the people went about their lives and took their water from the cistern instead of the fountain.