Matthew 27:54 writes about the crucifixion of Jesus, “The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

I imagine even though it was a gruesome task, the Roman Soldiers crucified many people. The verse specifies that it was a Roman officer, rather than just an ordinary soldier that made the comment. As an officer he would have been more senior and had more experience. Crucifying someone would have been a routine event for him.

But this event was much different, so much so, that the Bible history makes a point of recording the officer’s words, “This man truly was the Son of God.”

Dear Lord, we will never know what it was like to be there that day Jesus Christ was crucified, but through faith, we are saved by the result. For this we thank and praise you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

You may have heard it said, that “We are God’s hands here on earth.”

1 John 4:12 says it like this. “But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.”

When we love God, and love others, we become a path God can use to show his love to others, through us.

Verse 15 goes on to say, “All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.”

Dear Lord, As believers we know that you live in us, Help us let your love work through us and touch all those we encounter. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Some people are tempted into believing they have strayed so far from God’s will that they cannot be forgiven and reconciled. This is a lie the devil puts in their minds.

God tells us through Isaiah 44:22, “I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.”

We need only accept the gift of Grace that God has given, to return to him. He saves us. Paul tells us in Romans 8:39, ” nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Dear Lord, Thank you for your Grace. Help those who feel beyond forgiveness to know that you are waiting for their return. We must only accept your gift. 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.

I remember teaching my children how to swim. Once they could keep their head above the water, “doggy paddling,” we would put them a little further away from the side of the pool each time, and they would paddle to the pool’s edge. Occasionally they would run out of energy and not be able to make it to the side of the pool without a bit of help, but my wife or I were right there waiting to keep them from going under.

In a way, this is how God trains us. He will help us develop our trust in him, and perseverance, by letting us experience something we may not think we were capable of handling, but as we progress and stay in faith, when we think we cannot make it, God will be right there to give us enough help to complete the task.

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

God will not fail you. When you feel you cannot take any more, or cannot go any further, put your trust in God, he will be there to give you the support you need.

Dear Lord, you tell us many places in the Bible that you will not fail or abandon us. Help us remember this, and live with the confidence that if we are experiencing difficult times, they are there to strengthen us not to hurt us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.