Do you ever wonder why some Christians experience challenges in one part their lives, and others experience different types of challenges. Is it just random or is God involved in how these things are happening?

Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet was telling the people God’s view of their situation in Isaiah 28:26-29, saying, “He [a farmer] knows just what to do, for God has made him see and understand. He doesn’t thresh all grains the same. A sledge is never used on dill, but it is beaten with a stick. A threshing wheel is never rolled on cummin, but it is beaten softly with a flail. Bread grain is easily crushed, so he doesn’t keep on pounding it. The Lord Almighty is a wonderful teacher and gives the farmer wisdom.”

In this passage, Isaiah is explaining to the people that God is like the farmer, and people are like the seed. God knows what experience he needs to put someone through to most effectively develop them. So when we are going through experiences we should ask ourselves what is God doing and how is he using this experience to make me a better Christian.

Dear Lord thank you for caring for each one of us, enough to work on us and help us improve. May we graciously accept the challenges you put before us as exercises to make us stronger and better Christians. in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

It is amazing to think about the changes that have occurred in recent years, and in our lifetimes. The first hand-held personal mobile phone was available just 40 years ago, and the first IPhone was introduced only 15 years ago, now virtually everyone in the developed world has one. The internet as we know it is only about 30 years old. The first earth orbiting satellite was launched in 1957, and now there are over 2000 orbiting the earth. 150 years ago, there was no electricity, there were no cars, and only 40 million people lived in the entire US (about the same as California’s current population)

As amazing these changes are, things are changing even faster every day. The speed of change can be scary to us, however, we know one thing that does not change. In Malachi 3:6 God tells us “I the Lord do not change.” and Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

We can have confidence that the promises God has made and the salvation we receive through Jesus Christ has not changed for thousands of years, and will not change.

Dear Lord, when all earthly things around us are changing, what peace and joy it provides us knowing that you and your love for us will not change. With thanks and praise, we pray. Amen.

Have you ever wondered why God created people anyway? or wondered what our purpose is here on earth?

Isaiah, the old testament prophet gives us some insight into this question. Isaiah brings the message from God in Isaiah 43:6-7 saying, “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” and in verse 21 God says through Isaiah “….the people I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”

So we were created by God to glorify and praise Him. When we keep God first place in our lives, there are an unlimited number of ways we can bring glory to Him.

Dear Lord, help us remember that we are here to bring glory to you, through our faith and actions. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

You have heard people say how they love this thing or that, like “I love my IPhone,” or “I love my new car.” Of course this is just a figure of speech, but we need to be careful where we place our focus.

John writes in 1 John 3:17-18 “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”

The expression, “Love people and use things, not the other way around,” is a good reminder of God’s direction for us.

Dear Lord, we thank you for all the wonderful things we have. Help us remember, however, to put people before things, and show our love in our actions. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the very difficult things in life is dealing with loss and helping others we care about deal with sorrow and loss. As painful as this is, I think this is one of the many facets of love. Even Jesus expressed this sorrow when Mary came to him weeping over the loss of her brother Lazarus.

John 11:33-35, writes, “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept.”

Jesus knew Lazarus would be raised, but as truly human, he also had the same sorrow and empathy for those he loved as we do.

The book of Lamentations is believed to be written by Jeremiah after the Babylonians captured Jerusalem and took many of the Jews away into slavery. It is written about the sorrow associated with this, but even in the midst of the sorrow it says in Lamentation 3:22-23,

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” and in verses 31-32, it says “For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love.”

We feel the deep sadness and loss because we love, but even in our loss God will comfort us because he loves us.

Dear Lord, comfort us in our times of sadness and loss. Help us remember that you love us and will not abandon us in our sorrow. Thank you for your faithfulness and for providing us the care we need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.