I have written in the past about how each of us has a calling, a mission, that God has put us on. We go about our daily lives pursuing our occupations, responsibilities and hobbies, and if we keep God the priority in our life, he is directing us.

Proverbs 16:3 is a great passage to memorize and ties in with this concept. it says, “Commit your actions to the Lord , and your plans will succeed.”

When we say, “this is what I am trying to accomplish Lord, but let me do your will not mine,” we are committing our actions to the Lord. He promises our plan’s will succeed, which will ultimately be the plans he is using us to accomplish.

Dear Lord, Thank you for directing our activities toward success in the calling you have given us. Help us always begin our days and tasks by asking for your direction and guidance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A friend shared a video with me, you may also have seen, but it included a quote that stuck with me. “Love builds a bridge over which truth can pass”

This is a good message for us to remember when we feel the inclination to criticize or others and explain why their behavior or beliefs are wrong.

I have heard it said another way, “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.”

Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:25-26, “Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap.”

Dear Lord, It was your love for us that built a bridge for us to be saved. Help us look with love on others first before gently providing instruction, thereby building the bridge for your truth to find acceptance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

“Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever.”

No this didn’t come from some “prosperity preacher” on television, it is Psalm 112:1-3

Dear Lord, help us believe your promises, and delight in obeying your commands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Harmony can be defined as, “the pleasing combination of different musical notes.”

Romans 8:27-28 says, “And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Most of us are familiar with the second portion of this text, “all things work together for our good,” but the full context describes a harmony between what we desire in our hearts and God’s will.

When we submit our desires and plans to God, he will make all things work together for our good in harmony with his plans.

Dear Lord, You know everything and know best how to give us what we need. If we love and trust you, you will use us for your plans and our good in a harmonious, pleasing combination, for this we thank and praise you. Amen.

Many of us know the deteriorating effect of “cheating” when we are trying to give up a vice, or maintain a new positive habit. Whether it be sticking to a diet, or exercise routine, or quiting smoking, or foul language, “cheating” a little bit starts the process of breaking down our resolve, and it doesn’t take too long for us to be back at square one.

Peter writes about this in 1 Peter 2:11, “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”

He is telling us to avoid those things that we know in our hearts or conscience, are not God’s will, because giving in will open up the opportunity for sin to begin breaking down our faith.

Dear Lord, as your children, we are foreigners in this world. There are many things in this world that are acceptable to others, but are not right for us, your children. Help us avoid these things, so that we may maintain our faith and hope for your salvation. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.