From Steve Rundle and Tom Steffen’s Great Commission Companies:

Using business as a vehicle for missions and ministry is not new. The apostle Paul, for example, was a full-time leather worker during much of his missionary career. A study of his letters reveals that working was more than a way to support himself; it was a central part of his missionary strategy. Preaching the gospel for free added credibility to his message and served as a model for his converts to follow.

From Sam Laing’s Mighty Men Of God:

Many of us are focused on doing, not on being. We want to work, accomplish and achieve for God, but we do not desire to draw near to God and deal with our inner selves. Venturing into the deep waters frightens us, so we wade in the shallows. We do not think deeply, feel deeply or love deeply. We are light-weights.

From Sam Laing’s Be Still, My Soul:

I imagined what it would have been like to be Timothy and to receive a letter from the great apostle….The teachings of those letters inspired me and called me to a level of commitment, sacrifice, courage and humility that I had never realized was possible.

From Thomas Jones and Michael Fontenot’s The Prideful Soul’s Guide To Humility:

What we are saying is that we must face the truth that long-held ideas are the hardest to give up. Thankfully, most of the ideas we hold to will never need to be given up, but we must stay open to what God wants to teach us, whatever the costs. This is true humility.

From Thomas A. Jones’ No One Like Him:

And here is the remarkable thing: the kingdom of God comes with power—miracle power, resurrection power, life changing power—but it does not come like storm troopers, requiring our obedience with the use of force. It comes like an invitation to a feast issued by a gentle servant who does not break bruised reeds or snuff out smoldering wicks (Isaiah 42:1-3). He will live for us. He will serve us. He will die for us. But he will not force us into his kingdom. All who are there, are there because they have been impressed with an incomprehensible display of love and have accepted a gracious invitation.

From John Piper’s Brothers, We Are Not Professionals:

Without extended, concentrated prayer, the ministry of the Word withers. And when the ministry of the Word declines, faith (Rom. 10:17; Gal 3:2, 5) and holiness (John 17:17) decline. Activity may continue, but life and power and fruitfulness fade away. Therefore whatever opposes prayer opposes the whole work of ministry.

From Sam Laing’s Be Still, My Soul:

The kingdom has not come to every nation, nor has it come to every person! There are untold millions who have never heard the true message of the Good News and others who have heard but have not yet accepted it. Jesus told us that we should therefore pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out workers (Matthew 9:37-38)

From Thomas Jones and Michael Fontenot’s The Prideful Soul’s Guide To Humility:

True humility is not passiveness, it is not cowardice, it does not become a doormat, it is not a pious act and it is not foolishness. True humility is full of wisdom; it takes heart and faith; it heroic and bears good fruit.

From Thomas A. Jones’ No One Like Him:

Jesus was a joyful person, and he trained others to have the same joy that he had. Yes, he was intense. Yes, he was dead serious about sin in people’s lives and abuses in religion, but his communion with God and awareness of how God was working was enough to give him a glad heart. For those who loved God, the end was going to be good.

Virginia Prodan’s encounter with an assassin is a compelling reminder to share our faith courageously in all circumstances.

I considered the man before me. Behind those hate-filled eyes was a creation of God. He had an immortal soul, and he needed to know about the love God has shown in Jesus Christ. At once emboldened, I met my killer’s eyes. “Have you ever asked yourself: ‘Why do I exist?’ or ‘Why am I here?’ or ‘What is the meaning of my life?’ I once asked myself those questions.” My voice stayed calm and did not waver.

Read the whole thing.