When God saved me, He gave me a thirst to learn and to read and to study. I thrived in college. I got a bachelor's degree in philosophy and then went to Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando.

Your identity is firmly anchored in Christ's accomplishment, not yours; his strength, not yours; his performance, not yours; his victory, not yours.

Passive righteousness tells us that God does not need our good works. Active righteousness tells us that our neighbor does. The aim and direction of good works are horizontal, not vertical.

Performancism is the mindset that equates our identity and value directly with our performance and accomplishments.

I kept auditioning, with no savings and no money, credit card debt gaining interest. I went on unemployment. I bought ramen noodles at dollar stores. I never had to - God forbid - live on the streets.

You can't expect to make all this money and not go through problems. You can't expect God to give you everything you want without taking something away.

Clearly, we need to rethink our attitudes about water and move away from thinking of it as nearly a free good and a God-given right.

Obedience is the fruit of faith.