T.G.I.F. (Today God Is First), with Os Hillman

Abraham and Sarah's story serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of presuming God's will when we're uncertain, leading to actions that can have far-reaching consequences. By seeking God's guidance through prayer and accountability, we can avoid making decisions like Abraham's, which resulted in the birth of Ishmael instead of Isaac.

The Bible warns against operating from a horizontal perspective, where self-efforts and coercion are used to solve problems, and instead encourages a vertical approach, seeking God for guidance and waiting on His timing. By adopting a vertical mindset, as exemplified by King David's respect for authority and trust in God's deliverance, individuals can avoid the pitfalls of horizontal thinking that led to King Saul's downfall and find true success in their personal and professional lives.

Abraham's story serves as a powerful example of the transformative power of faith, where obedience to God's will can lead to supernatural resurrection and a deeper walk with Him. By choosing to put God's vision above personal desires, individuals can experience a profound launch into their spiritual journey, leading to a more authentic and impactful ministry.

A seasoned business partner's bold decision to dissolve their partnership with a friend, mirroring the biblical story of Abraham and Lot, led to an unexpected yet ultimately beneficial outcome. By trusting in God's guidance, Danny navigated a challenging transition, emerging with valuable lessons on faith, trust, and the power of letting go.

An angel's unexpected visit to a humble farmer, Gideon, sets him on a path to deliver his people from Midianite oppression, revealing that even ordinary tasks can be transformed into extraordinary acts of faith. Through a series of symbolic interactions with God, Gideon learns to trust in his own potential and the power of divine partnership.

Discerning between God's thoughts and one's own natural ideas is a crucial aspect of walking with God, as it can lead to obedience and effective decision-making. By understanding the three sources of thought - the natural man, Satan, and the Holy Spirit - individuals can learn to recognize when a thought or idea originates from God, allowing them to make choices that align with His will.

God's tests in the Old Testament often seemed counterintuitive and even cruel, yet they served a greater purpose - to reveal the state of one's heart and determine obedience. Through examples like Abraham's test with Isaac, readers will gain insight into the true nature of God's testing and its ultimate goal of refining faith and trust.

Muhammad Ali's famous catchphrase "I am the greatest!" serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive pride and arrogance that can come with success, highlighting the importance of humility in the face of prosperity. By recognizing our successes as gifts from God, we can avoid the pitfalls of pride and cultivate a more humble and grateful heart, as emphasized by biblical teachings such as Romans 12:3.

Jacob's defining moment is one of profound transformation as he wrestles with God, resulting in a new nature that requires total trust in Him, leading to a name change from Jacob to Israel. This pivotal encounter serves as a powerful reminder for all believers, particularly leaders, that true power and freedom come only through surrendering our natural abilities to God's will.

When life's adversity strikes, how do you respond? Will you succumb to anger and bitterness or adopt a stoic facade, or will you choose to rest in God's love and trust His plan, even when it's hard?

The ancient Israelites' defeat of a wicked king through unity and cooperation serves as a powerful metaphor for the modern-day challenge of uniting churches, workplace leaders, and intercessors to combat evil in cities. By embracing unity and collaboration, Christians can experience a profound impact on their communities, leading to fruitful evangelism, favor among city leaders, and unprecedented fruitfulness in representing Christ to the world.

The Israelites' decision to make peace with the Gibeonites without inquiring of God led to a devastating deception, resulting in the enslavement of an entire people and compromising the faith of Joshua and his people. This cautionary tale warns us against making assumptions about opportunities or relationships that may seem too good to be true, reminding us to always seek guidance from God before making decisions that can have far-reaching consequences.

As revealed in John 15:16, being "picked" by God is not about innate talent or skill, but about being chosen for a greater purpose. By embracing this calling and focusing on knowing and serving the One who chose us, we can bear fruit that will last, transforming our daily lives into opportunities to share God's love with others.

A courageous Christian executive, Sherron Watkins, risked her job and reputation to expose a massive accounting scandal at Enron, bringing down the company and its corrupt leaders, in a remarkable example of faith and moral courage. By confronting evil head-on, Watkins became an unlikely modern-day Esther, inspiring others with her bravery and conviction.

...the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3).