• The story of the Ethiopian eunuch shows us the three levels of understanding: literal, spiritual and applied.

• Without a proper literal understanding, what we call spiritual understanding would be highly suspicious.

• Truly wise people are often humble because they know enough to realize that they do not know enough.

• A joy robber is anything that begins to pull our hearts away from the truth of who God is and causes our circumstances to become louder than our confidence in Him.

• Where have I been looking for joy that only God can truly provide?

• When I am disappointed, where does my heart run first?

• What daily habit do I need to practice more intentionally so joy becomes a lifestyle, not just a moment?

• I can endure every kind of season because Christ gives me the strength to do it.

• Joy keeps our heart anchored to God. Prayer keeps us connected to God. Gratitude keeps our attention on the goodness of God.

• We are not just called to possess joy. We are called to become carriers of it.

• You can be hurting and still possess joy.

• Despair tells me what I see, but joy reminds me of what I know.

• Don't interpret the presence of trouble as the absence of God. 

• Joy grows out of our connection with God.

• We cannot expect to produce lasting joy while disconnected from Christ.

• Dwelling is essential to receiving your lasting joy

• We can never overstay our welcome in God’s

presence.

• Our faith is a composite of our knowledge, expectations and experience of God.

• Disobedience to God changes us, even as believers in Christ: our hearts are hardened. 

• The Holy Spirit is your Helper for God's Purpose, Not Your Own

• When it comes to cultivating the fruit of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit prompts us on how to think in any given situation. 

• He reminds us of the teachings of Jesus regarding the specific issue we face, counseling us on how to act, or how not to act. 

• With His gifts, He will prompt us to take a step, speak a word, pray for a person.

• If we respond by faith and comply, our obedience will produce results.

-Jesus has the gentle character of a lamb, and the dreadful strength of a lion.

- To be like Christ is to embody this duality: be gentle like doves and also be "dangerous" (in a spiritual sense) like fire or electricity.

A faithful minister must remain true to God and to his word;

remain compassionate to the people;

function as an intercessor;

My faithfulness must never be determined by the faithfulness of the people to whom I am sent, but only by the faithfulness of Him who sent me.

• The battle we face is not racial, cultural, economic or political. It is a battle between spirits.

• What makes one a Christian is the presence, leading and power of the Holy Spirit.

• We must be filled with the Holy Spirit again and again.