Chapter 1 Passion Matters
When you mix failure and forgiveness in the same heart, the result is a spiritual heat called joy. The most potent fuel for spiritual devotion is the celebration of a heaven-sent second chance.
Chapter 2 Satisfaction Matters
Everyone in this world is searching for the same thing – to be deeply satisfied, to have their souls thrilled. But the big thrill continually eludes them because they search for it in small places. A human heart created by an eternal God has eternal desires that cannot be satisfied by temporal pleasure.
Chapter 3 Atonement Matters
Like a tour golfer who doesn’t get a mulligan, the choices we make are recorded on the scoreboard. There is no rewind button after we yield to temptation. This is why the gospel brings such hope to the guilty heart. As God looks at the compensation due Him for the pain caused by our disobedience, He says, “I will provide the payment you owe Me.”
Chapter 4 Purpose Matters
As Roy Hession once said, God “has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.” The works God calls you to are neither arbitrary nor unimportant. You have been prepared for specific works. Specific works have been prepared for you.
Chapter 5 Discipline Matters
An athlete doesn’t try to win nearly as much as he trains to win. Likewise, spiritual maturity doesn’t happen because we want to be mature. It occurs because we discipline ourselves to participate in those things that will cause us to know and love God.
Chapter 6 Scripture Matters
At no time in history has God breathed another book into existence as He did the Bible. Scripture has come from the mind of God and perfectly reveals the desires of God. Its truth both cuts us and heals us – and energizes us to love God and serve others.
Chapter 7 Prayer Matters
Prayer is the means by which you experience God’s love and power through words. We deepen our relationship with God every time we speak with Him. It is amazing that the Creator of the universe invites us to talk with Him, yet the all-wise, all-powerful God delights to hear simple words spoken from humble hearts.
Chapter 8 Risk Matters
Our flesh craves comfort. Therefore, it resists anything that disturbs comfort. But what your flesh doesn’t know is that the most fulfilling and influential life belongs to those who risk for God. Radical results require radical risk. God rewards the risk takers.
Chapter 9 Suffering Matters
God will always bless our obedience, but nowhere does He promise that His blessing will remove us from pain. To the contrary, many times the greatest success will come through suffering. The gospel does not advance apart from genuine sacrifice.
Chapter 10 Finishing Matters
Finishing well is not easy. Rare are those individuals who cross the finish line still running hard after God. One of the best ways to chase what matters is to ask if the present direction of your life will enable you to one day say, “I have fought the good fight; I have kept the faith; I have finished my race.”