I heard an interesting way to look at Christianity. “Christianity is not about making bad people good…its about making dead people alive.”

Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:5, “even though we were dead because of our sins, He [God] gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead.”—NLT

So if we are good, it is because we have been brought back to life, re-animated, and we can share God’s love.

Dear Lord, thank you for bringing us to life with your Spirit so we can live eternally with you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

Have you ever painted over a bad color on a wall, or crayon drawings your children colored on the wall; maybe graffiti on a building. Isn’t the transformation intersting?

Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:8. “Above all maintain constant love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” Proverbs 10:12 says. “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers over all sins.” Like painting over the blemishes on our walls, love for others, helps us overlook their blemishes, their love for us also allows them to overlook ours, and most importantly God’s love for us through Salvation covers our sins like they never happened.

Dear Lord, thank you for the love you provided us, that covers our sins, help us share your love with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

I recently read a book called Grit. It was written by a former high school teacher and now Psychologist who studies achievement. She concluded that the most important factor in achievement was not talent or intelligence, it was “grit,” and she defined “grit” as a combination of hard work, endurance, and persistence.

I think this grit concept has some applicability to our faith. Many people turn away from God when challenging life experiences occur. They wonder how God could let terrible and tragic things to occur and they let this questioning of God separate them from him. Unfortunately, this is exactly the opposite of “grit” with regard to their faith.

One of the beauties of faith in God is that he can be the source of our “grit” if we let him. By turning to God, rather than away, during times of tragedy and difficulty, he will give us what we need to endure and overcome.

Paul writes in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” and in Colossians 1:11 “We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.” and in 1 Timothy 1:12, ” I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work.”

Dear Lord, give us strength, endurance, and persistence so that we have a “gritty” faith to achieve your will, serving and glorifying you in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

Many personal development books and coaches emphasize the importance of visualizing what you want to occur in your life. Some also say that if you dwell on your fears they are more likely to occur, and conversely if you focus on the positive, those things are likely to occur.

It is interesting that this idea has its origin in the bible. Proverbs 10:24 says, “The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.” This ties in also with Jesus’ words in several places including Matthew 8:13, saying “..because you believed, it has happened.”NLT

Dear Lord, help us keep our thoughts on the positive; our hopes, dreams and prayers, and help us avoid negative, self defeating thoughts that lead us to question your power. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

Sometimes we get things a bit out of perspective, and think that we can make deals with God, like we might do with a friend. For example, we are getting pulled over for speeding and say, “God, I’ll go to church if you prevent me from getting this ticket,” or “God, if you help me make this sale, I’ll put more in the offering plate.”

We forget the incredible difference there is between us and God. Isaiah writes God’s words in chapter 66:2-3, “Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool: What Temple can you build for me as good as that? My hand has made both earth and skies, and they are mine. Yet I will look with pity on the man who has a humble and a contrite heart, who trembles at my word.”

The NET translation finishes this verse like this, “I show special favor to the humble and contrite, who respect what I have to say.”

We need respect the awesome power of God; Power to destroy as he chooses, but also power to bless those he chooses.

Dear Lord, You are Power and Love. We thank you for loving us enough to save us through Jesus Christ. Help us look to you with humble and contrite hearts and do what you direct us to do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box