Charisma Magazine

A popular female evangelist arrived at an airport and was escorted to the baggage claim area. After she retrieved her luggage she was taken to the passenger pickup lounge where she met her hosts from a local church, who planned to take her in a comfortable van to a nearby hotel so she could rest before speaking at an evening service.

The members of the welcoming team were not prepared for this woman's icy response to their greeting. When they opened the door to the van, she told them bluntly: "I will not ride in that." Then she stormed back into the airport with her entourage. After making inquiries, one of the church staff was informed by the woman's assistant that Her Highness must be transported in a certain type of vehicle.

When God shows up center stage in our lives and directs us through the difficult times, we mistakenly think that being a "good" Christian is what prompts Him to act. That's not true. Our righteousness is like stain-covered rags. His unconditional love and our acceptance of His Son compel the Father to take up permanent residence in our lives. Stop struggling with being good enough for God. Watch the video below.

When I worked as a screen extra in the movies, one of the people with whom I was paired in the dining scenes was a man named Arthur. No one, including me, wanted to be around him. For one thing, Arthur had a foul mouth. He used it to complain and mutter obscenities and to fire off wisecracks under his breath.

And speaking of his breath—well, let's just say you wouldn't want to light a match within a foot of it. The smell of alcohol was a clue to the level of volatility. Then there was his attitude—it wasn't pretty either.

Many believers I know desire to work for a ministry or Christian company someday. Their goal is to work in an environment with praise music playing, co-workers praying and Scripture verses beautifully calligraphied on wall plaques. They imagine such a workplace as holy, peaceful and devoid of that common problem: difficult co-workers.

I wish this were the case, but until our Lord comes back we will always have some level of difficulty relating to co-workers, whether Christian or not. I have traveled the length and breadth of this nation and most of the world, worked with Christians and non-Christians alike and believe me, there is little difference in how personnel operate under pressure.

Nothing can replace the longing we have for intimacy with Christ. And the moment we attempt to substitute our relationship with religion, we feel distant from Him. Don't allow anything to keep you from knowing Jesus. Pray and read your Bible, but seek to go deeper than that. Ask Him to affirm in your heart that you belong to Him. Watch the video below.