Just after Solomon was king of Israel, there was a split in the kingdom of Israel with Judah in the south and Israel in the north. During this time, God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah trying to tell the people of Judah to get back on course and follow God’s guidance.

He writes in Jeremiah 6:16, “This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!”

How similar is this to the attitude many people have today. They know right and wrong in their hearts, they can read God’s guidance in the Bible, they can look and see people who have followed God’s direction and had peace and prosperity, but after all this input, many people still say, “no that is not the road we want.” They live their lives in opposition to the direction God has established, and wonder why things don’t work out for them.

Ultimately, Judah was overtaken, destroyed and its people were enslaved.

Dear Lord, You give us right and wrong in our consciences, you outline your will in the bible, and you provide us many wonderful Christians on which to model our lives. Help us use these things to keep us on the path that leads to your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

When times are tough, it is difficult to remember how much God loves us.

So remember what Jesus says in Luke 12:6-7, “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

Remembering then what Jesus said, we know God cares about us, so we should follow Paul’s guidance in Philippians 4:6, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

Dear Lord, Thank you for the care and comfort that you provide, and answering our prayers with your all knowing wisdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Our doctors tell us to exercise in order to improve and maintain our physical condition, which is a good practice. In the same way we need to work on our spiritual fitness to build our knowledge and understanding of scripture, faith in God’s support, and strength to resist temptation.

Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:8, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” NLT

What I find interesting about this passage is that it addresses how working on being a better Christian is not just about salvation and life after earthly death, it is also about a better life here on earth, reinforcing the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, ” But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” NIV

Dear Lord, help us build our Christian muscles and endurance so that we may experience the joy of life following you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The disciples and early Christians in the Bible often greeted each other with the words “Peace be with you.” What is the significance of them wishing each other “peace?”

Peace is contentment, tranquility; The absence of fear, worry, want, anger, and frustration. Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace, and He tells his disciples in John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart!”

We can have the peace he offers if we keep our focus on him and not our problems and the things that take away our peace.

Isaiah writes in Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Dear Lord, help us keep our thoughts and trust on you so that we may have your perfect peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever tried to stick to a diet? There are basically two alternatives for doing so, one is to have the sheer discipline to ignore cravings for those things you are not supposed to eat, the other is not to have those things in the house. It is definitely easier to avoid things when there are not around.

The same principle is true with avoiding sinful behavior. Avoiding the questionable movies and TV shows is easier than avoiding their influence while watching them, or skipping the gossip party is easier than trying not to participate once there. There are an unlimited number or potential examples.

Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:11 “Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. ”

Christians are just as susceptible to temptation as non-Christians. By avoiding situations that test our resolve, however, we can set ourselves up for success rather than risking the failure of giving in to the temptation.

Dear Lord, help us think before putting ourselves in situations that subject us to temptation. When we cannot avoid the situation, give us the strength and discipline to overcome temptation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.