How often do you face difficult situations where you cannot imagine a solution that will make things work out favorably for you? For example, you have a large bill due and no idea how to pay it, a big school project due and not enough time to get it done, or a big project at work at the same time as an important family activity.

Why don’t we ask for God to solve it for us? Often we think we have to know how the problem can be solved so we can explain to God how to solve it. Actually we don’t. In Matthew 17:27 Jesus and Peter were in a situation where they were required to pay a tax. Jesus told Peter to go catch a fish, open it’s mouth, and he would find the tax that was due in the fish’s mouth. Do you think Peter had any idea that Jesus would resolve the problem this way?

God can always find a way, even when we don’t see a way. We need to remember to just ask.

Dear Lord, help us remember to go to You when we are in need, and trust You to show us a solution. In your name we pray. Amen.

I like to read Proverbs.  It is full of life lessons and guidance. Many of the passages refer to being “Righteous.” For example,…the eyes of the Lord are on the Righteous…the Lord delivers them from their troubles…the righteous will inherit the land….the mouths of the righteous utter wisdom….

So what is meant by “the Righteous?” In worldly terms, righteous means “good conduct” or “virtuous”

However, in the Bible, the apostle Paul clarifies God’s meaning of “righteous” in Romans 1:17 “For in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last. As it is written “the righteous will live by faith”. NIV

The answer to the question “What is meant by righteous?” is, We are righteous by faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ who saved us. Faith in this Gospel is what makes us righteous, not our good behavior or virtue.

Dear Lord, Thank you that we know that we are righteous, right with You, through our faith in Your gift of Salvation. Help us live by faith to do Your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Personal development coaches and motivational speakers often will say “Believe you can or believe it cannot, either way you are probably right.” It is an interesting phenomenon that your belief has an effect on the outcome.

The bible describes a similar situation in Matthew 13. Jesus arrives in his hometown, and people question how this son of the local carpenter could be so knowledgable and be able to perform miracles. Rather than opening their hearts and having faith, the people are skeptical and resistant. Verse 58 says, “He (Jesus) did not do many miracles there, because of their lack of faith.” Are we the skeptical and resistant, or do we have the faith and belief that God can and will do miracles in our lives?

Dear Lord, help us with our unbelief and give us faith in your unlimited power to do miracles. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Defining love is difficult. It is emotion, action, thought, feeling all rolled together and prioritized above everything. True love like that of a parent for a child will stop at nothing to protect and care for the other.

This is what is so powerful about the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39. He says, ” for I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” So with these words from Paul inspired by God, we can know without doubt that God will stop at nothing to protect and care for us.

Dear Lord, help us truly believe and trust in Your love for us, so that we may do your will with faith and not fear. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Often when people speak about foregiveness, they talk about how we should forgive others, which we should. We also however need to remember that God forgives us when we repent, or apologize for our sins.

Some people have done things they are so ashamed of that they can’t seem to accept the foregiveness God promises. That is a mistake. The devil wants us to feel unforgivable and lead us away from the compassion and forgiveness of God.

Psalm 103:11-12 says. “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” NIV

Everyone can be foregiven. With the ultimate gift of compassion, God sent Jesus to take the punishment for all our sins. Accept this gift, ask for foregiveness, and just as important, accept it.

Lord Jesus we cannot begin to understand the depth of Your love. Help us accept Your forgiveness and move forward living our lives for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.