It is sometimes hard to believe how people can have such bad judgment and do some of the things they do today. This is not anything new. In fact Jesus tells us this will happen in Matthew 7:13-14, saying, “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

It takes a discipline, courage, and commitment to follow the path God wants for us. We cannot just go along with what is popular or trendy. We need to as written in Proverbs 4:26-27, “Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”

Dear Lord, The devil is expert at tempting us, and the desires of the world are so appealing. We know with your help we can overcome these distractions that can lead us away. Help us set our own straight path, following your teachings so that we enter the narrow gate by your grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Do you play golf? If you answered yes, Do you keep your head down every time you swing? Do you keep your arms straight every swing? Do you keep your elbow in every swing? Do you follow through every swing? If you are like me, you probably don’t swing perfectly every time, but you still can say you are a golfer. What makes you a golfer is that you play golf, and the more effort you spend to get better, the better you will play.

In a similar way, what makes us a Christian is our faith in Jesus Christ who saved us. We don’t have to do everything perfectly to be a Christian. If we have faith in Jesus, we will want to learn and do what he teaches, learn scripture, praise, pray, and act out of love for others.

Ephesians 2:8, says, “For it is by grace you have been saved , through faith.” and Hebrews 11:6 says, “without faith it is impossible to please God.”

But James 2:26 says, “Faith is dead without good works.”

It’s difficult to say you are a golfer if you don’t play golf, and it is difficult to be a Christian if you don’t do anything about it.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the undeserved gift of eternal life you have given us. Help us accept that gift and then follow through and live lives that do your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

One of the difficult things to understand about God is why he lets terrible things happen to people. We see it around us and in the news; What appear to us to be senseless tragedies.

We can read in Romans 9:17, “For the scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, “I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the world.” So God made Pharaoh to be the oppressor of the Jews in order to show his power.

Another story in John 9:1-3, Jesus came across a man who had been blind since birth, He was asked, who sinned the man or his parents, Jesus said, “neither, he was born blind so that God’s power could be demonstrated.” then Jesus healed him.

We cannot know why God allows the tragedies we see to happen, and most importantly, we are in no position to evaluate God based on them. God doesn’t measure whether things are good or bad based upon, our measures, or how they affect our lives here on earth. Paul writes in Romans 9:20, “Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?”

Whether we experience good or bad, or see joy or tragedy, does not change how we should approach God. Our responsibility is to believe in his power, trust his love, and submit ourselves to him. What is most important is that we know we have already been saved, eternally.

Dear Lord, your ways are higher than we can understand. Help us trust that all things are working according to your plan, and nothing can separate us from your love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In Matthew 5:44 Jesus tells us to “love your enemies.”

It takes a very mature and self controlled person to actually care about someone that he or she despises, his or her “enemy.”

Proverbs 24:17 also says, “Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble.” again, very difficult.

Proverbs 25:21-22, has a little different perspective on the effect of loving or being kind to our enemies, that is almost humorous. It says, “If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads and the Lord will reward you.”

The bible is clear that we are not to seek revenge; God reserves that role. However, being nice to our enemies may allow us to get the same message to them from a caring spirit, in the way God directs.

Dear Lord, thank you for the minds you have given us that allow us to overcome our feelings and forgive those who have wronged us. Give us the strength to take the more mature and higher path and love those who do us wrong. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It is so easy for us to get into a mindset feeling we have the “weight of the world” on our shoulders. We may have financial problems, or health problems, challenges with our relationships, or relatives that are “off course.”

When I start to feel this way, I like to think about the promises God makes to us in Proverbs 37:4,5, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”

It seems overly simple to say “don’t worry,” but when we put our trust and hope in God to help us, he will find a way, even when we cannot see one.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the assurance of your presence. Help us remember you are just a prayer away. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.