Since the early Christian Church, there have been differences of opinion on proper behavior for a Christian. Because most of the early Christians had been Jews then accepted Jesus as the Messiah, some still believed they were required to follow Jewish traditions for eating, days of the week to worship, and other behaviors.

Paul writes about this in Romans 14, and writes that it is up to each believer, based upon his dedicated study of scripture, Jesus’ and the apostles’ teaching, to determine what they believe is proper. The importance of the rules was not for judging others, but for managing themselves.

In Romans 14:23 Paul says, “But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.”

We have similar differences in the various denominations of Christian Churches today; Different days of worship, understandings on acceptable foods to eat, customs, acceptability of drinking alcohol, and other behaviors. We should remember Paul’s message, to use these rules to guide ourselves, and not to judge others.

Dear Lord, You made us and gave us a conscience and the ability to reason. Help us read and understand your word, and listen to our consciences so that we may live as you would have us, remembering that other Christians may have variations in their understanding, but we all still believe in You and Your saving grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I think we all have seen the adventure films where the hero is racing through some foreign city trying to reach the US Embassy before being captured, or the pictures of people surrounding a free country’s embassy trying to find refuge as revolutionaries are taking over the country.

Envision that scenario as you read Psalm 91:9-10 which says, “If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.”

God is our refuge, where we can find safety and security. The classic words of Psalm 23 should always be in our minds when we are afraid, (I remember the King James version) Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Dear Lord, We thank you that though we may go through frightening and difficult times in our lives, you are our refuge. Help us remember to come to you for refuge and comfort. We know you will not disappoint us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

And God looked over everything he had made and saw that it was very good! Genesis 1:31

I am having the opportunity to experience the amazing beauty of creation along the Lake Michigan shoreline on a warm and calm summer day. It is amazing how pleasant the combinations of sounds, smells, sights, and sensations all come together on the beach on a day like this. It is such a clear indication of God’s intent to make a beautiful habitat for us on earth. Look around the rest of our solar system, the planets are nothing like earth, solid rocks and balls of gasses.

It is hard to dispute that the beauty and complexity of the universe, our solar system, and earth were created on purpose. Psalm 19:1-4 says “The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship. Day and night they keep on telling about God. Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world.”

Thank you Lord for the beautiful creation you have made for us. Help us share with others our beliefs that this beautiful creation was made by you for our use and to your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

There is a concept in Mathematics called a Proof. A Proof is a step by step demonstration that a formula is actually true. A teacher or professor would ask a student something like, “Prove that the area of a rectangle is its length multiplied by its height,” and the student would explain the steps that show this formula is true.

In Matthew 3:8 John the Baptist tells the Pharasees, “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”

If he asked us, could we “prove,” by our behavior, that we have repented, turned from our sinfulness and worked at doing God’s will?

Dear Lord, You know our every thought and action, and know whether we are truly repentant. Give us the strength and will to turn from, and resist, our sinful desires and actions, so that our lives “prove” our repentance. in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Repent…..John the Baptist preached it “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand”

What does Repent really mean? In Matthew 3:8 John said “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” Repenting is our recognition of our sins, and our sincere apology that we cannot consistently obey God and overcome our sins and temptation to sin. We need to continuously remember this, and at the same time rejoice and be grateful for the Grace of Jesus who took the entire blame and punishment for our sins.

The acknowledgment of repenting makes the blessing of forgiveness so much more personal and powerful.

It is like pleading guilty, being sentenced to life in prison without parole then immediately being pardoned and celebrating freedom.

This is the Joy of Salvation!

Dear Lord Jesus our Savior we repent of our sins and our sinful nature. Thank you for saving us from the misery we deserve and giving us the peace of forgiveness and Salvation. Amen.