Author Archives: Tree of Life Church

The truth is that although there are many times that war is essential to protect what we love and walk in victory, battles always have a cost. Jesus Himself said that before you go to war – before you engage in a battle, pick a fight, confront someone – there will always be a costContinue reading “Thriving in the Battle 12: Sometimes the Best Fight is the One You Avoid”

In every battle, there is information that if known by the enemy, could change the outcome of that battle. It is important that, while still maintaining an open and honest culture, we do not give our enemies the bullets to shoot us with. It’s not about being secretive, it’s about being careful and keeping privateContinue reading “Thriving in the Battle 11: You Must Protect Information”

Saul was a terrible king for a number of reasons, but one of those reasons is that he did not deal with the Amalekites with a stubborn ruthlessness. He spared the king and the best of the sheep and the oxen (1 Sam. 15.8-9). The Amalekites were evil and harassed and attacked Israel for years,Continue reading “Thriving in the Battle 10: The Battle Belongs to the Ruthless”

Most of you reading this will be familiar with what is probably Joshua’s biggest mistake as a general and leader. If not, you can read it in Joshua 9. Essentially the Gibeonites deceived Joshua into thinking they did not live in the promised land and make a peace treaty with him based on deception. TheyContinue reading “Thriving in the Battle 09: The Battle Belongs to the Discerning”

I am sure all of you know that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. One of the times in which we cannot afford to be unstable in all our ways is when we are facing conflict and trying to get the Word of God out to the nations! If you are aContinue reading “Thriving in the Battle 08: The Battle Belongs to the Certain”

The last time I tried to do an honest talks with pastors series, I was tarred and feathered from the first post. I dared suggest to pastors not to instantly promote someone in their church just because they have been to Bible College. Most Bible College graduates have a great knowledge of the Word, butContinue reading “Honest Talks with Pastors 01: Some People Do Not Get Healed”

A bishop then must…  have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Tim. 3.2, 7, KJV) Today I want to look at a verse that a lot of us know, but I want to offer a slightly different understanding on it, thatContinue reading “Who Should Have the Good Report?”

Jesus once told the Pharisees that “every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand” (Matt. 12.25). I have seen more churches and ministries fail due to disunity more than anything else. For every venture to extend the kingdom of God on earth –Continue reading “Thriving in the Battle 07: The Battle Belongs to the United”

I know how to be abased and I know how to abound… I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Php. 4.12-13) Paul was a flexible man – if he had nothing, he learned to extend the kingdom with nothing, if he had loads, he learned to use that loads to extend theContinue reading “Thriving in the Battle 06: The Battle Belongs to the Adaptable”

Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? (Luke 14.31, NIV) All of us have to go to war to get the gospel out toContinue reading “Thriving in the Battle 05: The Battle Belongs to the Efficient”