Some bible verses just tell us things so clearly that it is almost hard to accept what they say.

Proverbs 22:4 is one of these. Saying, “True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.”

Wouldn’t we and our world be better off if we pursued these objectives of humility and the fear of the Lord?

Dear Lord, In the Bible, you tell us many times in many ways to submit to you and let you guide our ways, promising that you will lead us in life when we do. Help us humbly follow your direction so that we may live the lives you desire for us, and bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

I listen to a podcast recorded weekly by a retired US Navy Seal. In addition to being very tough and disciplined, he is also very well read and focused on self improvement. In a recent episode, he answered the following listener question. “How do you deal with setbacks, failures, delays, defeat, or other disasters?” His answer, in his characteristic brevity, was “Good.” The reason these things are “good” is that there is always something good that can be captured from bad situations or events, and that is the part on which we should focus.

This is what the Bible tells us, too.

Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

James 1:2-3 says, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

As difficult as it may seem sometimes, we should accept our difficult situations and say “Good” then ask God to help us grow through them.

Dear Lord, help us remember that you know what we are experiencing, and are always with us to help us through. With you, our most difficult situations and experiences can become our best education, inspiration and opportunities. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

Do you remember when you were a child being taught that when you get angry, count to 10 before speaking? This is a simple solution to maintaining control of oneself. When we lose control of our actions due to our emotions like anger, we are easy targets for temptation. Targets for the temptation of saying and doing things we know are wrong.

Psalm 4:4 writes, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.” James 1:19 says, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”

It is easy to say, “Control yourself and don’t get angry,” but definitely not easy to do. However, like all temptation, with God’s help we can overcome all temptation.

Dear Lord, we all face the temptation to lose our control at times. Help us remember to stop and ask for your help to control ourselves and overcome this temptation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

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.

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

Most people have heard Bobby McFerrin song “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” and most, if asked, would probably agree that it is easier said than done.

Why?

I think the answer is because it is difficult to take our focus off of the things that are worrying us and focus on those things that are pleasant and make us happy.

Similarly, in Luke 8:50, Jesus tells a man who was just told that his daughter died, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” This may seem also like an impossible suggestion. How could someone in his situation not be afraid?

The key is to change the focus from the thing that scares us, to Jesus, in whom we have faith.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your cares on Him, for he cares for you.”

As difficult as it may be for us to overpower those fearful thoughts, If we think about the fact that God, the immeasurably powerful force that created everything, cares about us individually, and personally, we can displace our fears with faith. God has our concerns completely under control, we do not need to fear.

Dear Lord, You tell us many times in bible stories that our faith effects events. Help us truly believe in your power and hand over our concerns and fears to you, with faith that you will work them out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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