How blessed those of us are whose parents brought us up to know Jesus Christ. Think of how it might have been if our parents did not lead us to our Savior. Who would have? How would we hear the story? Would we accept it? For those who came to Christ outside of their family, do you remember who invited you, and why you opened yourself up to Jesus?”

Paul describes these questions in Romans 10:14-15, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Most of us may be reluctant to witness, but to overcome that reluctance, think about how wonderful it would be to be the person who helped someone else become saved.

Dear Lord, thank you for those that helped us come to know and believe in you. Help us to have the courage to help someone else come to be saved. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I have heard it recommended that we schedule vacations and special events on our calendar’s several months in advance. The expectation of this pleasant experience in our future can give us enjoyment each time we think about it.

In the same way, the hope and expectation of our salvation should give us tremendous peace as we live our lives.

Paul says in Romans 15:13, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Dear Lord, thank you for the hope of our salvation with you. May we live our lives in the peace and joy that this hope brings. In Jesus’ name we pray. 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 knowledgeable 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. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

There is a popular business book called “One Thing” and the author’s main point is that in order to succeed we need to focus intently on one thing. If you are old enough to remember the Billy Crystal comedy movie, City Slickers, there was a tough old cowboy character, “Curly,” played by Jack Palance, who had a famous scene where he said, holding up one finger, “The secret of life was one thing…., you have to find out what that one thing is for you.”

In the account of Mary and Martha recorded in Luke 10, Jesus came to visit sisters Mary and Martha, and while Jesus was there, Martha was busy with all the activities of hosting Jesus’ visit, but Mary sat and listened to Jesus teaching. This upset Martha who told Jesus it was not fair that Martha was working hard on all the arrangements while Mary sat listening to Jesus and not helping. Jesus’ answer was, Luke 10:42,43, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

There is only one thing we also need to be concerned with, and that is following Jesus. When we keep this as our focus we stay on the right path. Following Jesus is, as he said in Matthew 22, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Dear Lord, You have given us the incredible gift of Salvation through Jesus’ Christ. Help us remember that this is the one thing that matters most. In His name we pray. Amen.

How often have we faced a situation where we knew what we should do, but had trouble controlling ourselves and doing the right thing? It might be something simple, like skipping desert, working out rather than watching TV, or going to Church rather than sleeping in. It might also be something very serious like avoiding a cigarette for a quitting smoker, a drink for an alcoholic, or drugs for an addict.

Paul says in his letter to the Philippians that he has the secret to being content in “any and every circumstance,” verse 4:13 he writes “for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.” TLB

What he is saying is that he doesn’t have to carry the burden of his struggles. Christ carries the burden, allowing him to handle anything, even torture and death for his beliefs which he endured.

Dear Lord Jesus, help us have the knowledge that we can do all things and handle anything if we put our faith in You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.