Bill Hybels concludes Chapter 8 of Simplify with an illustration from one of his favorite replenishers, sailboat racing. One kind of sailboat-racing event is a regatta. A regatta usually consists of seven to ten races. Points are awarded in order of finish in each race. The crew with the lowest overall score is the winner […]
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the game goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get […]
Bill Hybels continues Chapter 8 of Simplify with a detailed definition of a life verse: “A life verse is a short passage of Scripture that serves as a rallying cry to guide and focus the current season in your life, or your life as a whole. Carefully chosen after prayerful consideration, a life verse resonates […]
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”- Psalm 119:105 “A ‘life verse’ is a power clarifying tool when it comes to simplifying our lives.”- Bill Hybels In Chapter 8 (“From Drifting to Focused: Claiming God’s Call on Your Life”) of Simplify, Bill Hybels tells of the time he went […]
Bill Hybels concludes Chapter 7 of Simplify with a discussion of Jesus’ relational circles. Pastor Hybels states Jesus showed us how to maintain healthy friendship circles. According to Luke 10:1, Jesus had a large circle of at least seventy-tw0 friends who were close enough to be called disciples. Jesus also hand-selected His “small” group of […]
Bill Hybels continues Chapter 7 of Simplify with a description of three levels of friendship to help us determine the depth of friendship we have with friends and acquaintances. Pastor Hybels explains: “Having a clear understanding of where each person fits in your life helps you clarify your expectations.” 1. Circumstantial friends. Bill defines circumstantial […]
Today Bill Hybels concludes his discussion of Solomon’s seven character traits (red warning lights) that are offensive to God (Chapter 7 of Simplify). 4 & 5. Looking for Trouble (“a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that . . . rush into evil”). Solomon’s warning is to people who have no qualms about taking advantages […]
Bill Hybels continues Chapter 7 of Simplify by encouraging you to take an assessment of your friendship circles. This assessment is vital to simplifying your relational world. It’s being a good steward of your life and taking a realistic look at the natural influence of others on you. In Proverbs 6:16-20, Solomon lists seven character […]
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”- Proverbs 13:20 In Chapter 7 (“From Isolated to Connected: Deepening Your Relational Circles”) of Simplify, Bill Hybels begins by asking: “Beyond your family, how many friends would show up at your funeral?” Throughout Bill’s years in the pastoral ministry, he has […]
Bill Hybels concludes his discussion of four steps that help us partner with God to conquer fear. STEP 4: Speak Words of Truth. Pastor Hybels emphasizes that the truth wins, every time. Therefore, it is critical that we speak truthfully when fear threatens to take control of our minds and emotions. The author notes that […]
“One ought never to turn one’s back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half.”- Winston Churchill “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to […]
“When he [the devil] lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”- Luke 8:44 Today in Chapter 6 of Simplify, Bill Hybels covers the first two steps that help us partner with God to conquer fear. STEP 1: Understanding Fear’s Origin. In order to conquer […]