I have this thought, occasionally, which creates a bit of anxiety. Maybe you do too, “I trust God and his plans, but what if his plans include bad things that I fear, even though those bad things may have a purpose I cannot understand.”

To overcome this fear, I try to remember that God loves me, and all of His children, so much more than we can imagine.

John writes in 1 John 4:16-18, “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” and in verse 18, “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”

And Paul writes in Ephesians 3:16-18, “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

Without a doubt we will experience difficulty, sorrow and uncertainty, but we can always return to the knowledge that God loves us and we can expel our fear with this knowledge.

Dear Lord, what peace it provides to know that you love us beyond our understanding. Help us overcome our fear with this peace and realize the fullness of life and power that you promise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Bible tells us in a number of passages that we should be humble. James 4:10 writes, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Being humble goes hand in hand with being thankful. If we are thankful to God for the things we have, our skills, our health, our successes, it is much easier to be humble. Job 1:21 writes, “The Lord giveth and the lord taketh away.” Whether we do things just right, or make mistakes, God determines the outcome.”

When we feel the desire to take the credit and explain what a great job we did with our success and achievement, we need to think about 1 Corinthians 1:31 where Paul writes, “If you must boast, boast in the Lord.”

Sometime when you are complimented on an achievement, try responding with something like this, “Thank you. God has truly blessed me.”

Dear Lord, all we have comes from your gracious love for us, working to grow and develop us. Help us remember to give you the credit and glory for the successes and achievement we experience in life,, and use them to further your work. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 147:10-11 says, “His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.”

I think in modern day terms, this means, God is not impressed with our success, sports cars, boats, or gadgets, nor how fit, smart or charming we are; He is happy with us when we put our trust in Him to care for us.

We think that we have to somehow earn the right to ask God for His favor and blessing, however God wants to give us his blessings. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:8, ” And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” NIV

Dear Lord, though it appears so simple, it is not always easy. Help us see the power in doing what you ask, putting our hope and trust in You. Help us take that step of faith and rely on Your promise of care. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

How often we get trapped in feeling sorry for ourselves, sour mood and attitude, mad at God or other people because we don’t have what we want. The antidote for this is written in 1 John 2:7-8, “and as we obey this commandment, to love one another, the darkness in our lives disappears and the new light of life in Christ shines in.”

By turning our attention away from ourselves and toward others, we are living the way Jesus did. Verse 6 says, ” Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did.”

Dear Lord, Help us overcome our focus only on ourselves, and focus on sharing your love with others. We will then realize the peace and joy this provides. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Many of us have had those times of reflection, wondering what God wants us to do with our lives. For some it is an easy decision, they have a passion that drives them toward their occupation, or avocation. For others, it is not always clear.

I am coming to the realization, that for us, who wonder what we are “supposed to” be doing, we begin to figure it out as we go. A process something like, Pray for guidance, step forward, repeat…..

1 Peter 4:10-11 says, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another….Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.”

It may not become clear for a long time, but as Peter wrote, we each have gifts to use to bring glory to God. Serving each other “with all the strength and energy that God supplies.” This brings God Glory.

Dear Lord, You have a plan for each of us, though it is not always clear to us. Give us the persistence and faith to move forward serving you by serving each other trusting in your guidance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.