Admiral William McRaven, a former Navy SEAL wrote a book called “Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your LIfe…And Maybe the World”. In the book there is a chapter entitled “Don’t Be Afraid Of The Circus.” He describes that “the Circus” in SEAL training is the extra physical fitness training candidates are subjected to when they fail to meet the standards expected. After completing grueling training days that are legendary, those that fall behind are required to do more. In the chapter he says, what happens, however, is if these candidates do the extra work, as hard as it is to endure, in the subsequent days, they become stronger and more capable, and tend to bring themselves back up to the standard expected.

I was reminded of that book when reading the words in Hebrews 12:10-15, “But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”

God lets us encounter hard things that often seem unbearable, but they do not go on forever, and when we emerge, we will “not fall but become strong.”

Dear Lord, give us the strength to endure with faith, trust, and hope in You when we are facing the pain of discipline that you have designed to make us better. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have you experienced one of those moments when you were working to solve a difficult problem, or learn something very difficult, like a math problem, a riddle, a rubix cube, or a new piece of music. You work and think and practice, then in what seems to be a split second, something clicks and all the pieces come together. You have it figured out.

In John 20:8-9, John is writing about the empty tomb after Jesus’ resurrection, “Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.”

Jesus had told the disciples that he would have to die, but would rise again, many times. However, they could not understand. They had the scriptures, Jesus’ stories and illustrations, the facts of his capture, persecution and crucification but could not put them together. Finally with the empty tomb, all the pieces of information came together in their minds and they understood and believed.

This is why it is so important for us to read and study the Bible, go to worship, and fellowship with other believers. We all have un-answered questions, and just maybe that one piece of information, or inspiration we receive will tie it together and we will understand.

We have the joy of knowing the whole story. Jesus fulfilled the scriptures, was crucified, died, and rose, so that we can be saved and say, “He is Risen….He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!”

Praise and glory to you Lord for the miraculous gift of salvation we receive through Jesus’ Resurrection. Amen.

We are all born to our two parents, we don’t choose them, they made us. Just because we are born to our parents however doesn’t mean that they are going to like everything we do. In fact they may not be very happy with some of the things we do.

This is very much like our relationship with God. John 1:11 says, “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” and the classic verse Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

God chooses us, like our parents.

Also like our parents, however, after being “part of the family,” there are behaviors that God likes and those he doesn’t. Jesus said, in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands.”

Just like parents expecting proper behavior, God expects us to do what he desires, and what he desires is to love him, and love our neighbor. He has given us additional guidance through our consciences. Romans 2:15 says, “They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.”

In our hearts, we all know what is right and wrong.

Dear Lord, There is no greater gift, whether we all recognize it or not, than being accepted as your child and saved eternally. Help us take that as the starting point to then live lives that will bring glory to you, and “make you proud.” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I have written about the similarities the story of the Golden Calf in Exodus has with modern times, describing how today we make “gods” of our things and activities, placing them ahead of God in our lives.

I don’t believe there is anything wrong with having a garage filled with sports cars, a private jet in the hanger, a private box at every sporting venue in town, or any other luxury. Look at Solomon, who was the picture of wealth, and privilege, and God approved and blessed him, until he got his priorities mixed up and began opening up to false religions. The important thing is getting our priorities right.

It doesn’t take millions of dollars to have our priorities mixed up either, whether it is a million dollar Ferrari, or the standing Saturday card game that keeps us from getting to church on Sunday, the important factor is that we keep God in the exclusive position at the top of our priority list.

The Commandment written in Exodus 20:3-5 says “You must not have any other god but me.” “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. ”

It is important for us to regularly stop and think about our priorities, and make sure we have God, and our duty to him at the top of the list.

Dear Lord, we all fail at times to keep you and your will in first place. Forgive us, and help us think about our priorities and get them right with you at the top of the list. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The more we study the Bible and God’s plan, the more we realize the gaps in our understanding. Jesus tells us however in Mark 4:22, “For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.”

In order to learn and understand, we need to take the time and effort to study. Jesus continues in Mark 4:25, “To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

Dear Lord, Thank you for the understanding of your plan that you have given us. Help us continue to listen to your teaching by reading and meditating on your word. In Your name we pray. Amen.