One challenge we all face when trying to accomplish anything good is the will-power or discipline to stick with it. Whether it be, sticking to a diet, exercise, cutting bad language out of our vocabulary, quitting smoking, drugs, or alcohol, changing our habits and building better habits is difficult, but not impossible.

2 Peter 1:3,4 says, “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

We can turn away from bad behaviors and live a godly life, if we so choose. When we say we “can’t” do something, what we are really saying is either, we won’t try, or we don’t really want to. In all comes down to a decision. We-make the decision and ask God to help us follow through.

I heard it said, “Our job is to do the natural, then God will do the super-natural.” This is how we overcome our wrong desires, and build a better self.

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us everything we need to live the life you desire for us. Help us decide to strive for that “godly” life, and take our step forward then let you carry us further. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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The engineer inside me, is routinely trying to figure out the how and why about everything. This is the mindset in many people who wonder, “If God exists, why doesn’t he just show himself and everyone would believe?” Interesting, the Bible describes how God started that way. He was right there with Adam and Eve and they still disobeyed. He was right there physically with the Israelites when He led them out of Egypt, and they disobeyed and worshiped idols. And during Jesus’ life, He did miracles, fulfilled prophecies, and most people didn’t believe. Is it reasonable to think that it would be any different today if God made an appearance?

What God really wants from us is for us to submit our lives to Him in faith. Matthew 11:25 says, “And Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise, and for revealing it to little children. Yes, Father, for it pleased you to do it this way!” NLT

When we submit without understanding, like a child who trusts without knowing, we are where God wants us to be.

Dear Lord, strengthen us to have child-like faith in you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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I think we have all seen the basketball game with the half court shot at the buzzer that wins the game, or the “walk-off” home run in the crucial baseball game, or the seemingly impossible kick to win the soccer match, and the thousands of spectators in the stadium jump to their feet and cheer.

This is the image I envision when reading Luke 15:7, “..there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”

I can see the saints and angels jumping to their feet and cheering when someone who has rejected Jesus for years, drops his or her resistance and accepts Salvation.

Dear Lord, it is amazing to know that those in heaven cheer for the salvation of those on earth. Help us remember to do our part in helping those who are lost become saved. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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If you know me, or have read my profile on my www.seekyefirstthekingdom.net site, you know that I am a pilot. One interesting thing about flying, particularly flying an instrument final approach into an airport when the clouds are close to the ground, is transitioning from focusing solely on instruments to navigate to seeing the ground “breaking-out” below the clouds and flying the short remaining seconds or minutes looking outside.

After trusting the instruments to identify where you are for minutes or hours previously, it is always a relief to see the runway out in front of the airplane, just where the instruments said it should be. Every time it is a rewarding feeling to see everything clearly rather than having to rely on the instruments in anticipation of seeing with my own eyes.

In a way I think Psalm 119:18 describes something similar, saying, “Uncover my eyes so that I may see the miraculous things in your teachings.” GW

On occasion God does “uncover our eyes” and makes some Biblical teaching crystal clear to us; We have what some call an “ah ha” moment. It is a very rewarding feeling to recognize when this happens, and hopefully the better understanding helps us act more in line with God’s will.

Dear Lord, thank you for giving us the bible as our guidebook for our lives. Thank you also for revealing the miraculous things in your teachings. Help us use them for your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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It is good for us to stop what we are doing once in a while to reflect and remember how great and powerful God is. We can look around at the beauty, magnitude, complexity, and mystery of everything that he created, and see it. Then to think that we are one of his children, he knows us and cares about each of us should make us feel great, joyful, and loved. I’ll call it a “state of joy”

David wrote about this in Psalm 100:1-3 “Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”

Dear Lord, you are more majestic and powerful than we can even understand, and to think that you care enough about us to save us through Jesus Christ, brings us humility and great joy! Praise the Lord. Amen.

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