We all experience challenges, obstacles and even tragedies in our lives. When these things occur, God’s desire is that they bring us closer to him, and that we come to him for comfort and support.

I believe we are faced with these trials for one of two reasons. First, as James writes in James 1:2,3, “when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” God is testing us to help us grow our faith, strength, and endurance.

The other cause of trials we may face, can be our own actions and bad choices. Paul writes in Romans 1:28,29, that when people ignore him, he lets them experience the effects of being on their own, outside of his protection. “So it was that when they gave God up and would not even acknowledge him, God gave them up to doing everything their evil minds could think of. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness and sin, of greed and hate, envy, murder, fighting, lying, bitterness, and gossip.”

The solution in either case is to go to God with our needs; submit ourselves to his love and direction, and we will come out of the challenge better, stronger and more confident in God’s plans for us.

Dear Lord, thank you for being there for us, help us come to you in faith, knowing that you will help us through our trials and temptations if we only ask and believe. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Many people have the wrong idea about happiness and joy. They think that something from outside them has to occur that will provide them reason to be happy; a promotion, a new car, a boyfriend or girlfriend, someone complimenting them, etc. All these things are nice, but happiness really comes from inside us; how we look at our circumstances.

Solomon writes in Proverbs 12:20, “…Joy fills hearts that are planning for good!”

We start the process and plan to do good, and happiness and joy are the result.

Dear Lord, help us remember that our joy comes from within us. Help us plan to do good and share our joy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I remember when I was young and had the opportunity to go to the go-cart track. It would be fun, but I wished the go carts could go faster. They all had what are called “governors” on the engines. The governors limited the engine and the go-cart’s speed. In modern days, with the development of electronic engine controls, modern cars have computerized limiters on their maximum speeds. Without the limiters, most cars could go much faster.

In a similar way, Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” TLB

When it comes to God’s power in our lives, we are like the governor, or speed limiter on a car. We are the limiter of what God can do through us. The Gods Word Bible translation says He is capable of doing “infinitely more than what we can ask or imagine.”

Let’s take the limits off of our belief in God’ power, and believe for much more.

Dear Lord, You created all things, from the sophistication of the atom and smallest cell, to the unfathomable majesty and vastness of the universe. Help us remember that your same power lives in us, to do great things that glorify you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

We put time, energy and care into protecting and providing for those that we love; parents and children, siblings, friends that need help, and those less fortunate who cannot provide for themselves. We watch over those who we love.

An interesting verse to think about is Psalm 145:20, which says, “The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.”

It would seem to make more sense if the verse said, “the Lord watches over all whom he loves,” but the verse turns it around and says He will watch over those who love him. So when we love God we affect God’s response to us.

Dear Lord, help us show our love for you by putting your will first in our lives, and following your guidance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I am sure you have heard the expression “I’ll believe it when I see it.” That is the opposite of how we need to live as Christians.

The Bible tells us is that we have to believe before we can see. We must have faith described in Hebrews 11:1 as, “..confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” or as Hebrews 11:6 says, “..because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” and Psalms 27:13 says, “I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

Just like a builder does not start construction until he believes he will see his project complete. We need to believe in the promises God gives us, to answer our prayers, protect us, and guide us, and most of all forgive us, and then we will see these results.

Dear Lord, give us strength to believe before we can see. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.