We all have occasions when our faith loses some energy. For some people, this occurs when something bad happens. They wonder “how could God have let that happen?” and their faith weakens. For others, they have been hoping and praying for something for a long time, and their faith begins to weaken waiting and wondering.

One of the great aspects of the Bible is that it usually contains an example that compares to most anything we encounter in our lives today.

Paul wrote the book of Romans about 20 years after his conversion from a persecutor of Christians, to a leader of them. Even he after spreading the news of Jesus Christ throughout the region for 20 years, he needed occasional encouragement.

He wrote in Romans 1:12, “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”

Paul is showing us that even he needs support in his faith journey. If Paul needed that, undoubtedly so do we. This is one of the reasons it is important to have Christian friends and regularly attend church where we can get the support and encouragement, to help us through those times our faith is challenged.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the opportunity to associate with other Christians to whom we can provide encouragement, and from whom we can get encouraged. Help us remember how important this is. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It is amazing how much has changed in the broadcasting and internet content businesses in the last several years. There are hundreds of television channels available, hundreds of satellite radio channels, you can find a video of on You-tube of almost anything, and there seems to be a podcast for just about any area of interest you might have.

For Christians, the great thing about this proliferation of information is the amazing opportunity we have to learn more about God’s word. Some of the best and most insightful preachers and bible teachers are available to you, on these media, if you look. Ultimately it is through more exposure we learn and grow our faith.

Paul writes in Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

These technology alternatives cannot take the place of finding a “home church” where you feel comfortable and connected to other believers, and can worship, pray, confess, and commune with them.

Dear Lord, thank you for the incredible blessings of technology that allow your word to be spread and heard by more and more people. Help us take advantage of these technologies to strengthen our knowledge and faith. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Do you ever feel like there is something in your life that you know you should not do, but you don’t know if you will have the discipline to keep yourself from giving in to the temptation? It could be something like sticking to a diet, or quitting smoking, or something more serious like avoiding stealing, or being faithful to a spouse. There are times where we may not trust our own discipline, but we know we can trust God.

The New Testament book of Jude says in verse 24, “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy”

There are some things we cannot do on our own, we need God’s strength to keep us from “stumbling” and bring us through the temptation. Like holding the hand rail when walking down snow or ice covered stairs; We hold on to something strong and stable to keep us from falling.

Paul describes this situation in 2 Corinthians 12, speaking about a temptation that he faces, but doesn’t identify particularly. He calls it his “thorn in the flesh.” He says in verses 8-9 “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

When we don’t think we have the strength to overcome, God’s strength is at it’s best.

Dear Lord, what peace it brings to those who know that your strength is always there for us to draw from and rely on. When we feel like giving up our resistance, and giving in to temptation to do the wrong thing, help us remember to turn to you and trust in your strength to overcome. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

If you know me, or have read my profile on my www.seekyefirstthekingdom.net site, you know that I am a pilot.  One interesting thing about flying, particularly flying a final approach into an airport when the clouds are close to the ground, is the transition from focusing only on instruments to fly the plane to “breaking-out” below the clouds.  It is always a relief to see the runway out in front of the airplane, just where it should be.  I don’t know why I would expect something different, but every time it is a rewarding feeling to see everything clearly rather that having to rely on the instruments in anticipation of seeing with my own eyes.

In a way I think Psalm 119:18 describes something similar, saying,  “Uncover my eyes so that I may see the miraculous things in your teachings.” GW  

On occasion God does “uncover our eyes”  and makes some biblical teaching crystal clear to us; We have what some call an “ah ha” moment.  It is a very rewarding feeling to recognize when this happens, and hopefully the better understanding helps us act more in line with God’s will, as a result.

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us the bible as our guidebook for our lives.  Thank you also for revealing the miraculous things in your teachings and help us use them for your will.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Have you ever wondered why we are here some 2000 years after Jesus was on earth, and when he and the apostles spoke and wrote about Jesus returning for “Judgment Day?”  The apostles would preach about the end coming soon, 2000 years ago.

The Bible is clear that no one knows when the end will come, but Peter writes a little about why we are still waiting.

In 2 Peter 3:8-9, Peter writes, “But don’t forget this, dear friends, that a day or a thousand years from now is like tomorrow to the Lord.  He isn’t really being slow about his promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But he is waiting, for the good reason that he is not willing that any should perish, and he is giving more time for sinners to repent.”

God does not want anyone to be lost and is giving more time for people to repent and come to him.  Which also means he is giving us, God’s voice on  earth, more time to bring his message to those not yet saved.  

Dear Lord, Help us remember that we are not just here on earth for our own entertainment, we are here to glorify you, and to bring your message to others.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.