A while ago, I had the opportunity to do some very basic rock climbing and learn a little about how it is done. One thing that was very evident to me was how important and reassuring it was to have a “belay” line. A belay line is used by rock climbers to prevent falling a long distance if they lose their grip or footing and fall. On a climbing wall the lines hang down from the top, and slack is taken up as the climber ascends. On a natural climb, the belay line is anchored and another stationary climber feeds out the line as the other climber ascends. If the climber slips, he/she can only fall as far as the last anchor point and the amount of slack the rope allows.

The simple climbing I did looked so easy from the ground. However, once 30 or 40 feet up, the knowledge that making a mistake would only result in a learning experience and maybe a scrape or two, rather than serious injury or death, made it a completely different experience.

In a similar way, this is what Paul is saying in Hebrews 13:5-6, he writes, “For God has said, “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.” That is why we can say without doubt or fear, “The Lord is my helper, and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.”

If we can get the belief God will not fail us, built into our hearts and minds. We can proceed with confidence on the mission to which he calls us.

Dear Lord, Knowing that you will not fail them provides incredible power and strength to those who trust you. Help us all to have this faith and do your will even in the midst of our fears. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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In Matthew 18:4-6 Jesus says, “So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

In verse 10 Jesus says, “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.”

“Their angels” it says. As one of the Bible verses supporting the belief that people have guardian angels, this verse gives an awesome and comforting vision that there are angels standing in God’s presence responsible for helping individual believers.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the assurance provided in this passage that you care for us, and assign your angels to look out for us. Help this give us the confidence to act boldly for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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You have probably heard someone say, or may have said yourself, “Thanks in advance,” when asking someone for something that you know they can and will do.

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving in the USA. What a great reason for a holiday! I believe that one of the pieces to a truly joyful and peaceful life is having a thankful perspective. It is nearly impossible to be negative, angry, and bitter when we are approaching life with thankfulness.

Taking the thankful perspective to another level, is not only being thankful for the blessings we have today, it is being thankful for the futures God has established for us. It is an expression of trust and faith in Him.

Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Dear Lord, We thank you that you have truly blessed us with salvation through Jesus Christ. We thank you also that you answer our prayers so we need not worry. We can thank you in advance, because we know you have us in your care. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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One of the questions that effects many Christians is “What is God calling me to do?”

Although the answer may come easy to some, it isn’t clear to all of us. I think sometimes we are looking for some type of significant supernatural revelation telling us what God wants us to do, but for most people the answer comes as a simple thought that may re-occur. “I should teach Sunday school,” or “I need to bring my family to church,” or “I should pray for that person.” These may not just be random thoughts, but are the quiet voice of God encouraging you to your calling.

Even if the call is not something dramatic like, “drop everything and go to Africa,” it still can be frightening to follow through. Keep this in mind. “The will of God will never lead you where the love of God will not support you.” God will take care of you if you step out in faith.

Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Dear Lord, thank you for the prompts to act on your calling. Help us listen, hear, and act in faith knowing that you will be there supporting us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.’

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“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off of your goal.” Henry Ford

When we have ourselves focused clearly on our goals with determination to achieve them, we tend to ignore or not even see obstacles and challenges that arise along the way.

Paul describes how this was demonstrated clearly by Jesus, as a lesson for us.

Hebrews 12:1,2 he writes, “…And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.”

Jesus is what we need to focus on as we run this race toward our eternal salvation. Just as he focused on the goal of concurring death and returning to Glory with God in heaven, he endured being shamed and crucified in order to accomplish his race, we can endure the challenges and obstacles to maintaining our faith and doing God’s will, by keeping our focus on our goal; The goal of eternal life in heaven.

Dear Lord, as you said, You established the principles for our success thousands of years ago, showing us the importance of focusing on our goal to overcome our obstacles. Help us do this and run our race toward salvation, with faith and obedience. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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