Many of us have had those times of reflection, wondering what God wants us to do with our lives. For some it is an easy decision, they have a passion that drives them toward their occupation, or avocation. For others, it is not always clear.

I am coming to the realization, that for us, who wonder what we are “supposed to” be doing, we begin to figure it out as we go. A process something like, Pray for guidance, step forward, repeat…..

1 Peter 4:10-11 says, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another….Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.”

It may not become clear for a long time, but as Peter wrote, we each have gifts to use to bring glory to God. Serving each other “with all the strength and energy that God supplies.” This brings God Glory.

Dear Lord, You have a plan for each of us, though it is not always clear to us. Give us the persistence and faith to move forward serving you by serving each other trusting in your guidance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Question for you. Are you righteous or are you a sinner?

In Matthew 9:13, Jesus says, “For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

It is not comfortable to say, “I am a sinner,” but it is only by saying that in our hearts that we can say, “I am saved.”

Dear Lord, what great joy it is to know that even though we are sinners, and precisely because we are sinners, we can accept your gift of salvation and be saved. Thank you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Paul writes to the early Christian Church in Colosse, saying in Colossians 2:2-4, “I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.”

It sounds like even early in the life of the Christian church, people were beginning to come up with their rules and their own variants of Christianity, distorting and deceiving people from the simple message of Salvation through Jesus Christ. We see the same type of thing today where people create their own versions of religion that may have started with Christianity, but has turned into the following of rules made up by people.

The message from Paul is clear, that to stay on the right Christian path, we need to go to the source, Jesus Christ, where all wisdom and knowledge originate. We read and meditate on Jesus’ words in the Gospels, and read the other bible writings to help interpret. When our questions arise, we use the Bible and prayer to help us understand. Though there have been many authors, and teachers who have studied the scriptures and can help us understand, we must remember their writing does not carry the authority of scripture.

Dear Lord, Help us remember that you are the source of all wisdom and knowledge, and we should not be deceived into believing something that contradicts your word. Help us become more familiar with your word so we will be more effective at resisting deception. We thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Philippians 4:6,7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

I find a great deal of comfort and wisdom in this passage, about how and why to pray, but I also find it interesting that it says that God’s peace will “guard” your hearts and minds. Using this word implies that our Hearts and Minds need to be protected from something. I think what God’s peace is protecting our hearts and minds from, is temptation; The many varieties of temptation that draw us away.

Some other Bible versions use the expression “keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

So by praying, asking for what we need and thanking God for what he has done, we will experience God’s Peace that protects us from temptation, and keeps us connected to Jesus Christ. This lets us do what the verse starts with…Not worry.

Dear Lord, Thank you for this promise of your peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 128:1,2 tell us, “How joyful are those who fear the Lord all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!”

I, like many of us, find myself occasionally focusing on all those things we want, hope for, and pray for and feel frustrated by not having. We think, we are living the lives God desires, but feel like we not receiving the blessing the Bible promises. When these feelings come upon us, I ran across these lyrics from an old hymn, that help put things in perspective.

“When upon life’s billows
You are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged,
Thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings,
Name them one by one,
And it will surprise you
What the Lord hath done.
(John Oatman Jr.)

When we stop and think about the incredible blessings we all have, it takes away any reason we have to complain or be disappointed.

Dear Lord, we only need to take a look around to see the amazing blessings you have provided us. Our human nature leads us to take for granted what we have, and dwell on what we don’t have. Help us keep our perspective in order, count our blessings and be thankful to you for all you have done for us, most importantly our eternal salvation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.