1. Remember that the Bible is a simple book, meant to be understood by "babes"; approach it with humility.
2. Seek to preach the word of God in a simple way, so that even children can understand, like Jesus did, and do not become complicated.
3. Let your life be the light that manifests Jesus, backed up by personal, thought, financial, home, and business life.
4. When you receive Jesus, you become a "child of God" and must grow to become a mature "son."
5. Maintain a balance of grace and truth in your life and ministry; truth without grace drives people away, and grace without truth lacks conviction.
6. Understand the difference between mercy (unmerited favor for past forgiveness) and grace (power for future victory over sin).
7. Remain in humility to stay under the "waterfall" of the Holy Spirit's immersion; pride moves you away.
8. Live a "come and see" New Covenant life, where your conduct is the message, not just your words.
9. Be able to say, "Follow me as I follow Christ," and not, "Don't look at me," by being a good example of the gospel's transforming power.
10. Strive for transparency and honesty in your life, having "no guile."
11. Recognize that human resources for joy, peace, and victory will run dry; be honest with Jesus about your lack and let Him replace it.
12. Have the attitude of a servant, as God does miracles through servants, and partner with God by doing your part (even the "easy part") while trusting Him for the "difficult part."
13. Be diligent in your work, including studying the word, as God does not do miracles through lazy people.
14. Be willing to minister with both "wine" (grace) and "whip" (truth), confronting those who seek profit or honor in religion.
15. Be totally committed to Jesus, as He discerns hearts and commits Himself to those who are totally committed to Him.
16. Be available to serve others and sacrifice food, sleep, or personal convenience if necessary.
17. Do not be satisfied until you experience the "rivers of water" (Holy Spirit flowing out to bless many), beyond just being born again ("cup of water") or having internal joy ("well of water").
18. Pray, "He must increase, but I must decrease" throughout your life.
19. Minister with a burden to save people, not just to ease your conscience or condemn.
20. Be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in daily life and ministry.
21. Be gracious like Jesus; if you've said something that embarrasses someone, change the subject.
22. Make doing the Father's will your "food," and lift up your eyes to see the ready harvest.
23. Avoid possessiveness over "sheep," as they belong to the Lord.
24. Cultivate the kind of faith that believes Jesus' word and acts on it without rushing to confirm it.
25. Come to a "zero point"-an end to your own efforts, strength, and hope-for God to work powerfully in your life and bring victory.
26. Be a full-time worker for the Lord, like Jesus and the Father, not lazy.
27. Do not act on your own initiative, but always wait on the Father's direction.
28. Never seek or receive glory, honor, or titles from men, as seeking human approval diminishes faith.
29. Be sure of your salvation, anchored in Jesus' promise, "him that cometh to me I'll never cast out" (John 6:37).
30. Do not preach prosperity, wealth, or health as the primary marks of God's blessing; instead, focus on Christlikeness in character.
31. Be willing to testify against sin, even if it makes you unpopular, as Jesus was.
32. Judge righteously by discerning truth and genuine service, but do not judge by outward appearance, motives, or private lives of others.
33. Never "throw stones" at people from a pulpit or in your daily life; remember your own sin and God's grace to you.
34. Preach and listen to the word of God with the expectation that it will "set you free from sin," not bring you into bondage through rules and regulations.
35. Do not be a "mother" for Satan to produce lies by telling them yourself.
36. Be a "light of the world" today, as Jesus said we are.
37. Lead a balanced Christian life, going "in" to God's presence and "out" to serve Him in the world.
38. Understand eternal security is for those who "hear His voice and follow Him."
39. Embrace the "way of the cross" by daily dying to self, knowing it is the secret to much fruitfulness in your character and ministry.
40. Do not love the approval of men more than the approval of God.
41. Find comfort in trials by remembering that what God is doing, though not understood now, will be understood "hereafter" (John 13:7).
42. Make love for one another the distinguishing mark of your Christian life and church, extending it even to those who disagree or don't love you back.
43. Understand that the "works that I do" (John 14:12) refer to doing the Father's will, including humble service, and "greater works" refer to the quality of building the church in unity through the Holy Spirit.
44. Obey God out of love for Him, not out of fear or for reward.
45. Cry out for the anointing of the Holy Spirit so that when you speak about Jesus, the Spirit backs up your words and takes them to people's hearts.
46. Be quick to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey Him immediately, even when He guides you to the "truth about yourself" (e.g., apologizing for harshness).
47. Overcome "the world" by conquering the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
48. If you are a leader, remember that your authority is solely to lead others to eternal life, which is to partake of God's nature.
49. Pray, "Father, everything I have is yours," and truly mean it, giving up your ambitions, money, time, and energy.
50. Believe that God loves you as much as He loved Jesus, for this brings security and transforms inferiority.
51. Do not fight for anything, for fighting proves your kingdom belongs to this world.
52. In times of persecution or injustice, remember that no human authority has power over you except what the Father allows.
53. Value women, as God chose a woman, a sinner, to be the first to see the resurrected Jesus.
54. When God gives you victory, He allows you to fail many times first, to ensure you remain humble and do not despise others who are still struggling.
55. Focus on your own calling and follow Jesus, not comparing your path to that of others.
From through the Bible by Zac Poonen
