There is an account written in John chapter 8 where a crowd was going to stone a woman for adultery, which was the law at that time. Jesus tells the crowd, “Let the one who has not sinned cast the first stone’ ” and the crowd of people all went away.

Jesus then told the woman in John 8:11 “Go and sin no more.”

There are many messages we can take away from this story, but the one I want to highlight is that at any point, we can make a change in our lives and start on a new path. “Your past doesn’t determine your future,” is a way I have heard it said.

I think that message is as relevant for someone living a “good” life as it is for someone who has a “troubled” life. We can all make a change in our lives, if we choose to; and when we do, God is always there to support us to change and follow his will. The most important change any of us can make is to accept the forgiveness and Salvation Jesus provides.

Dear Lord, thank you for the message you give us in this story that, no matter where we are in life, or what we have done in the past, we can change. Your forgiveness and Salvation is always waiting for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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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.

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When we read some of the stories in the Old Testament, it sometimes sounds like our modern day reality shows, and soap operas. There are stories of good people who are tempted and fell away, people who do terrible things but then repent and are blessed, people who have tragedies but stay firm in their faith in God, and many other examples that have similarities to some of our modern day situations.

Paul brings this up to the people in the church at Corinth, and in 1 Corinthians 10:6 he writes, “These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did, and not be idolaters, as some of them were.”

The many stories in the Old Testament are opportunities for us to learn how to follow God. There are many examples of how God blessed his people when they followed his will, and disciplined them when they went astray.

2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

Dear Lord, You provide us a clear path in the Bible, help us prioritize time to read your word, and put it into practice in our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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John 2 Begins with the story of Jesus’ first miracle, when he changed the water into wine at the wedding in Galilee.

John 2:11-12 says, “This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.”

After this miracle, the small group went away for a few days. What do you think the conversation was during those few days in Capernaum? They probably had many questions about how Jesus did this miracle, and what this meant for them and for the world. We might call it reflection and analysis of the events.

I think there is a lesson for us in this story. There are times when we have seen God’s goodness, or His intervention in our lives; like protection from a tragedy, relief from an illness, or some coincidence that makes things go well for us. Maybe the lesson for us in this story is to take a moment to reflect and analyze what God has done and what it means.

Dear Lord, Thank you for working in our lives, and the lives of those we love. Help us remember to take time to see your work and blessings, and take time to acknowledge and give You thanks. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Studies have shown that people adapt and become accustomed to their situations pretty quickly. This ability has helped people survive and adapt to difficult situations, like famine, POW camps, or living through wars.

The phenomenon works the opposite way too. People who live in good times and good conditions like most of us do in the developed world today, can become too accustomed to how great life is, and not appreciate the tremendous blessings we have.

Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Stop and think about your day sometime, and all the amazing things that are just routine in our lives, from the time we wake up in the morning and through the day. Heat and air conditioning, a bed, electricity, hot shower, sharp razors, clean water, clean laundry, a closet full of clothes, cupboards and refrigerators full of food, cars, trains, buses with heat and air conditioning, paved streets, police departments, computer and internet technology, radio, tv, telephones, stores with anything we need, modern medicine, schools and universities. On top of all those things, the amazing beauty, complexity and balance of nature, the stars in the sky, sunrises, sunsets, birds, flowers, and the list goes on and on.

How could we not be amazed and joyful at all God has given us each day?

We praise and thank you Lord for your wonderful and amazing creation. Help us remember to appreciate all you have provided for us, every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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